Fairchild earns Hall of Fame award

By Sam Waller

Albany Lions head baseball coach David Fairchild was inducted into the Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame at its banquet Saturday, Jan. 28.

Fairchild, a 1987 graduate of Bonham, was inducted for his coaching accomplishments, which include a career record of 437-174-4 and two trips to the state tournament.

After graduating from Texas Tech in 1993, Fairchild began his coaching career at Port Lavaca. He was named head baseball coach at Savoy after a year at Port Lavaca and held the same position at Lockney and Ballinger before coming to Albany in 2003.

“My biggest success has come in Albany,” Fairchild said. “I try to spend a lot time giving credit where it’s due – all the coaches and the years we’ve spent here together. I think it’s 121 years we have total.”

Fairchild stressed in his induction speech the role other coaches and players have had in his career.

“The biggest part of my speech was saying to surround yourself with good coaches,” he said. “A good coaching staff breeds continuity and confidence in the kids. It’s not about me; it’s more about the coaches around me.”

In addition to guiding the Lions to state tournament appearances in 2017 and 2019, Fairchild has had teams reach the regional finals in 2016, 2018, and 2022. He has also been a part of the Albany football coaching staff, helping the Lions to the state finals in 2009, 2014, and 2015 before the 2022 team won the Class 2A Division II championship.

In his career, Fairchild has coached in 79 football playoff games and 71 baseball playoff games. He has also served as coach for the Greater West Texas All-Star Game and Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes Baseball All-Star Game.