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EMU Names New Athletic Director

Eastern Mennonite University will have a new athletic director, effective July 1, 2005.

David A. King from Lancaster County, Pa., will succeed Greg S. Steffen, who is serving as interim athletic director following the resignation in October, 2004 of Larry R. Martin, who held the position three years.

Kenneth L. Nafziger, vice president for student life, announced the appointment Tuesday, Apr. 5

King will return to his alma mater from Lancaster Mennonite School, where he has been athletic director and principal of its middle school program.

Dave brings a commitment to excellence as an experienced athletics and educational administrator who views sports as a vehicle for character development," Dr. Nafziger said. "His leadership and reputation for integrity in the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) give him credibility as he works with coaches to recruit high caliber student athletes who will be a good fit for EMU's mission.

"As an alum of EMU who has sent all three of his children to study and play sports at EMU, Dave understands who we are and is committed to making the EMU athletic experience as positive and enriching as possible," Nafziger added. "He brings a clear vision of what EMU athletics can become as we educate student athletes for leadership roles in the church and society."

The director of athletics oversees the 17 intercollegiate sports programs at EMU, providing overall leadership, advocacy and strategic planning.

"Athletics is the avenue through which many young people develop themselves to their fullest potential," King said. "My passion has always been to see personal growth and development of lifetime skills in players, coaches and community through the athletic experience.

"Athletics are often the window through which the public sees the school, so it is imperative that participants be positive representatives and role models. "Both academic and behavior standards are important in developing and maintaining a quality athletic program. As with every part of the institution, the athletic program must add positively to the whole of EMU." King added.

King has served at Lancaster Mennonite School since 1991. Before that, he was executive director of Camp Hebron, Halifax, Pa., five years and was athletic director and health and physical education teacher, 1977-86, at Locust Grove Mennonite School, Lancaster.

He has coached junior high boy’s soccer and basketball and Junior Varsity high school girl's basketball. He was a founder of the Commonwealth Christian Athletic Conference and currently serves on the executive committee of the District III Committee of the PIAA and chair of boys and girls soccer for District III. He is also chair of girls soccer for the Lancaster Lebanon League which LMS competes in for all sports.

A graduate of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, Lansdale, Pa., King received a B.S. degree in health, physical education, recreation, camping and youth ministries from EMU in 1976. He earned an M.Ed. degree in educational administration from Temple University and has done post-graduate studies at Penn State University and EMU. As a EMU student, he participated in soccer and basketball for four years and baseball for one.

He is a member of East Chestnut Street Mennonite Church, Lancaster, a member for 12 years of the Mennonite Church Youth Convention Planning Committee and a past board member of Discipleship Ministries with Eastern Mennonite Missions, Salunga, Pa.

The Frazer, Pa., native is married to Debra A. Glick King, also an EMU graduate and a Spanish teacher at Lancaster Mennonite School. The couple's three children are Derek (volleyball) a 2003 justice, peace and conflict studies graduate of EMU living in the Lancaster area; Ryan (basketball), currently a junior elementary education major; and Lisa (field hockey) a freshman nursing major, both at EMU.

— article by: Jim Bishop; posted April 6, 2005