Dave O’Brien, 57, of Lower Gwynedd, PA passed after a courageous 6 ½ year battle with cancer surrounded by his family and friends until the very end. He was a loving son, a caring father, a devoted husband and uncommon friend. He lived life by the motto of Jim Valvano, “don’t give up, don’t ever give up”. Dave leaves a legacy of friendship and love among his family and friends and success in the sports and athletic administration world that will stand the test of time.

A fierce competitor on the field and in life, Dave was a member of the Immaculate Conception High School and Moravian College Sports Halls of Fame. He began his professional career as a high school teacher and coach while attending Seton Hall Law School at nights. After graduation, he worked as an attorney for the New Jersey Senate and then served as an advisor on legal issues at Montclair State University while also working as an assistant basketball coach.

He began a career in athletics administration when he moved to California and served as the Athletic Director (AD) at Long Beach State University from 1991 through 1996. At Long Beach, he oversaw the development and construction of their iconic “Pyramid” Sports Arena, one of the largest athletic building projects in the country.

Dave then moved back east and served as the AD at Temple University from 1996 through 2002 where he oversaw the construction and opening of the Liacouras Center basketball arena and 5 trips to the NCAA Tournament by the men’s basketball team, including two trips to the Elite Eight. In 2002, he moved on to Northeastern University as the AD where he led the program’s move to the Colonial Athletic Association, established a sports leadership master’s degree program, and increased student-athlete graduation rates. He also served as the Director of Marketing at the Philadelphia Big Five.

After Northeastern, Dave returned home and to his roots as a teacher and became the Program Director for the Sport Management Program at Drexel University. As a faculty member, he taught at the undergraduate, graduate, and law school levels. He led the department’s growth into a nationally recognized program. He was a strong advocate of education at all of the institutions he served. He found his greatest professional satisfaction in teaching and helping students to find the inspiration and knowledge to pursue their dreams in his beloved profession of college athletics. He had the unique ability of being able to truly touch and enhance the lives of everyone he met.

Throughout his career, Dave was a frequent lecturer, regular author and valued consultant on the operations of athletic departments and the legal issues that they confront. He authored a book, several law review articles, and many other articles in a variety of publications on sports law issues at the collegiate level. In addition, he was the editor of College Sports Business News, a daily website on the business and legal aspects of collegiate sports.

An accomplished golfer, Dave was a frequent competitor in Amateur and Professional Golf tournaments around the state. He was a five-time Club Champion at Cedarbrook Country Club, three of which he earned while battling cancer. He had a rare “double eagle,” a hole-in-one on a par 4, as well as two other hole-in-ones. He considered himself fortunate to have great golfing friends to compete against throughout his life.

Above all, he enjoyed spending his time golfing with his beloved sons, all accomplished golfers, attending movies with the love of his life, Eva, and gathering frequently with his parents and 7 brothers and sisters. Eva and Dave grew up several homes away from each other. They met while playing sports on the playground at 5 years old. They were married in 1978. From their childhood, they never parted and cherished their time together in California, Boston, and Philadelphia, with their four sons. His legacy lives on through his love for his wife, his children, and the countless lives he touched along the way.

Dave was a dedicated family man to his wife Eva (nee Foster), sons Kevin (Lindsay), Daniel (Katie), James, and the late Michael O’Brien; his father Alfred and late mother Phyllis (nee Ford); brothers Tim, Pat, Chris, and Jamie O’Brien; and sisters Sean Hunter, Kaky Moore, and Megan Iansito.

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation in church Saturday, March 8, 2014, from 9:00AM until 10:50AM at St. Rose of Lima Church, 424 S. Main St., North Wales PA 19454, immediately followed by his funeral mass 11:00AM. Interment St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont, PA. In lieu of flowers, Dave asked that donations be made to the Mike O’Brien Memorial Fund, c/o Stampone Law, 500 Cottman Ave., Cheltenham, PA 19012. (condolences and guestbook at www.DiGiacomoFuneralHome.com)