Built Not Born Podcast (Episode #25): Dave Duda — Basketball, Coaching & Life
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 Phil 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.
Dave 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 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 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 to learn the art of delegation and why the best leaders are inclusive.
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“Life is built, Not born.”
Joe Ciccarone
