HARRISONBURG, Va. – Eastern Mennonite University Director of Athletics Dave King announced today that he will retire June 30, 2022.
EMU’s second and longest-serving director of athletics, King has led the Royals program for 17 years, since coming to the position in 2005 from a similar role at Lancaster Mennonite School. He has spent more than 40 years in Mennonite education and athletics administration.
“Dave King has been an unwavering passionate voice and exemplary model for the very best of the student-athlete experience at EMU, upholding our mission as an academically rigorous and faith-informed institution,” said President Susan Schultz Huxman. While competitiveness in one of the best NCAA Division III conferences in the country is important, she adds, King “has never lost sight that real success comes when students grow in their academic preparation, service and leadership, and faith. He instills that same drive and enthusiasm in his coaches.”
Over the past 17 years, King has been involved in hiring coaches and support staff for 17 teams; worked to enhance the EMU Royals brand; and raised the reputation of EMU athletics in the region and the conference. Countless numbers of Royals athletes have achieved conference, regional and national honors in both academics and athletics.
“I am grateful to EMU for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my calling and desire to impact the lives of young people through sports,” King said. “Witnessing and sharing firsthand the growth and development of student-athletes has been a true joy and privilege. Though the integration of athletics within the context of Mennonite higher education has sometimes proven challenging, the rewards are clear and it’s also been a privilege to have a role in educating people about that value.”
King expressed appreciation for the partnership of coaches and other athletics staff in staying true to the vision of sport as the complexion of D-III athletics has changed dramatically: “EMU coaches have continued to center our student-athletes through the challenges of escalating recruitment wars, the rise of social media and increasing costs. I am so grateful for their collective commitment to creating competitive environments in which our student-athletes can experience success and learn valuable lessons that will continue to impact them long after graduation.”
During King’s tenure, the number of student-athletes has grown steadily. Now more than a third of undergraduates…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at headlines-featured…