Dave Sisson is a proud native of Alexandria, VA, born, raised, and a lifelong resident. A free-spirited character, he has tried many activities and played many roles, but he has always been devoted to wrestling, as a competitor, a coach, and especially as an official. A product of Fairfax County Public Schools, he wrestled and played football for Edison HS. He points to his high-school wrestling coach Frank Damico as an important influence in his life. While attending George Mason University, he played soccer, joined the first "trap shooting" team at GMU, and kept up with wrestling, beginning his officiating career while still a student. Upon his return to teach at Edison, Dave joined Coach Damico in soccer and also assisted Don Scarr in the wrestling program. Before long, he too became a head coach, of girls soccer. After a four-year coaching career, however, he decided that his best contribution would be as a wrestling official. He was one of a handful of people who founded the modern version of the Northern Virginia Wrestling Officials Association. During his 40 years as a member, Dave worked tirelessly at district, regional, state (13 AAA tournaments), freestyle, Greco, sombo, and NCAA wrestling events; he also served as president of the NVWOA for three years. Since his retirement from teaching after a 31-year career, Dave has not "wound down" much. He is a Master Scuba Diver Trainer, shooting underwater video for animal studies organizations. For the past seven years, he has held the post of Assigning Commissioner, organizing the officiating of wrestling throughout Virginia. About this crucial and stressful post, he says wryly: "If wrestling people are smart enough to administer the complicated nature of wrestling, why aren't they smart enough NOT to involve themselves with the administration of wrestling?"