#25 - Dave Duda - Basketball, Coaching & Life

Today’s guest is Dave Duda. 

Dave Duda is the Athletic Director of Delaware Valley University in Pennsylvania. 

Dave, a native of Norristown, PA, shares his remarkable story of resilience and leadership, both on and off the basketball court. 

In high school, Dave was stand out basketball player at Bishop Kenrick under legendary coach Phill Martelli.  At the age of 15, during his sophomore season, Dave tragically lost his Dad, to a sudden heart attack. Overnight, Dave went from idolizing his father to becoming the man of the house.

After HS, Dave continued his basketball career at Spring Garden College where he was a two-time honorable mention All-American. Upon graduating from Spring Garden College, Dave Duda began his coaching career as the top assistant to Naismith Hall of Fame coach Herb Magee, the all time winningest coach in NCAA Division 2 history at Philadelphia University. During Dave’s seven seasons at Philadelphia University, the Rams had their most successful period in school history, and were the winningest Division II school in the country during with a 171-35 record, including a ridiculous 80 straight wins at home. 

Dave then took his first head coaching job at Delaware Valley University.  Where he took over a team which had been 0-23, leading it to a 12-12 mark for the first non-losing season in 11 years. He earned the Freedom Conference Coach of the Year award in 1998. His career coaching record in 10 seasons is 159-99.

Dave then was hired by hired as the head coach of Widener University. Under Head Coach Duda Widener enjoyed its greatest, when the team finished 23-6, won the Commonwealth Conference regular-season title and made the school’s first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance since the mid 80’s. Duda earned Coach of the Year honors for both the Commonwealth Conference and the NABC Mid-Atlantic Region.

David Duda then reunited with Coach Phil Martelli and spent 13 seasons as head assistant coach for the Saint Joseph University Hawks.

During his time at St. Joe's, the Hawks made three trips to the NCAA tournament, including 2 Atlantic Ten Championships. Dave also served as the program's lead recruiting coordinator and developed 12 all-conference players, including NBA players Langston Galloway and Deandre Bembry.

Dave and I discuss what he learned from spending over 20 years with 2 legendary coaches, why leaders have to learn to put their ego’s aside and learn the art of delegation and why the best leaders lead by inclusion.

We discuss the importance of learning and understanding the basics in both sports and life.

So…

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We have a bunch of cool interviews, like this one, to come.

Enjoy my conversation on with Dave Duda, 2x All- American, Athletic Director of Delaware Valley University, former head basketball coach of Widener University, & former Head assistant for the Saint Joseph’s University Hawks.   

And remember… “Life is built, not born…”

Mentioned in the Episode:

College: Delaware Valley University

People: Coach Phil Martelli

People: Coach Herb Magee

Books: Staring Down the Wolf (by Mark Divine)