Dale Hinkle graduated from Lewisburg High School and Glenville State College. He later received his Master's Degree from Marshall University in 1979 with a degree in Safety Education. He began his teaching and coaching career at Ravenswood High School with freshman football and as assistant coach in varsity wrestling. He took over as head coach shortly thereafter producing: 94 state qualifiers, 48 state placers and 10 state champions. The Ravenswood Red Devils won the Little Kanawha Conference many times and Dale was named Regional Coach of the Year many times as well. Dale retired from coaching wrestling in 1993, but resumed his coaching career with girls' softball. He coached them for thirteen years and was named Regional Coach of the Year several times. While coaching sports, he participated in community activities for youth and was President of Jackson County Junior Fair for fourteen years. While teaching at Ravenswood High, he was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2000; then retired in 2002 from teaching Driver Education. Dale, with devoted wife, Sue reside in Ravenswood and have one son, Shannon and two grandchildren, Breanna and Tyler Hinkle.