Dave Egnatuk was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for hisathletic achievements in 2002. Tonight, he is being enshrined forhis contribution as a coach for the football and men’s trackand field programs.
The mentors Dave had when he was a student at Albion establishedthe standard for the environment he wanted to create as he leftmilitary service in November 1974 to begin a career in teaching andcoaching at the College.
Dave grew up in a Clinton Street house just a mile from campus,but he never expected an opportunity to open up at his alma materand bring him back to his hometown. However, the College camecalling, and he served as a mentor for generations of Britonsduring more than 37 years as professor of physical education andcoach.
In track and field, he guided Tracy Garner, ’83, DanPekrul, ’87, Steve Gilbert, ’93, Tom Reason, ’94,and Nick Morgan, ’04, to individual NCAA Division IIInational championships and eight teams to MIAA titles whilecompiling a 142-32-1 record against league rivals in dual meets.His athletes achieved All-America status 31 times.
During his 24 seasons as an assistant football coach (Dave beganhis career with the 1971 team before joining the College staffpermanently in 1975), he worked with the defensive linemen, and hewas on staff for the 1994 national championship season.
Administrators and athletes alike leaned on Dave’sstrength in the wake of tragedy such as the death of formerfootball coach Pete Schmidt.
“Students felt good when he said, ‘It’s agreat day to be alive!,’” notes Frank Joranko,’52, an Athletic Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Awardwinner. “He is what Albion is about when it comes tomentoring students.”
Dave and his wife, Mary Ann Stokes Egnatuk, ’76, reside inAlbion. The Egnatuks have three daughters, Christie, Tracy, andJessica.
