Dave attended East Leyden High School, wrestling for Hall of Fame coach Chuck Farina. A 1971 graduate, Dave placed third in the state his senior year at 155 with a 27-3 record. Four of the top five wrestlers at his weight that year went on to become Division 1 All-Americans including a second, two fourths and an NCAA champion. He was a team captain that season on a team that featured five wrestlers who became head wrestling coaches in Illinois high schools. Dave won the State Freestyle Title the previous summer. Attending Northwestern University, where he wrestled for Hall of Fame coach Ken Kraft, Dave was a four-year starter for the Wildcats and earned his BA in Education in 1975. He placed second in the Big Ten in 1974 and fourth in the NCAA's that year. Dave won the Big Ten title his senior year and won All-American NCAA honors. He was the team captain in 1975, receiving the following awards: Orion Stuteville Award for most team points, the Waldo Fisher Award for Highest Standards of Interscholastic Athletic Competition and Smart Award of Merit for academic achievement. He was also selected to receive the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor given to one athlete at each Big Ten school for athletic and academic excellence. After graduation, Dave began teaching and coaching at Rolling Meadows High School, his first three years as an assistant coach to John Ellis. He took over the head coaching position for the 1979-80 season and stayed in this position for 36 years, retiring after the 2014 season. He finished his coaching career with 380 wins, 39 state qualifiers and 10 state placewinners. While at Rolling Meadows, Dave taught Health and Physical Education and also served as the school's boys athletic director. He received the Principal's Award for contribution to education. In addition, he coached cross country and track for 18 years. Dave has a master's degree in Educational Administration and another master's in Sports Administration as well as certification as a personal trainer. In the five years since his teaching retirement, Dave has continued to coach wrestling as an assistant at Stevenson High School. He also has worked as a long-term substitute in Health and Physical Education. His hobbies include musical instruments and power boating. Dave and Sharon, his wife of 36 years, have two sons, Steve (Brianne) and Mike (Sara) and a daughter, Colleen. They also have a grandson, John, Mike and Sara's child. They are looking forward with Steve and Brianne to the birth of their granddaughter in February, right in the peak of the wrestling season!