David B. Eavenson, Sr., Dickinson College
Athletic Director, Swimming Coach (1955-79); MAC Executive Director (1976-88)
David B. Eavenson, Sr. is still a familiar name in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC). The MAC currently gives out four awards in his memory, including the men’s and women’s swimming David B. Eavenson Award recognizing the male and female conference swimmer of the year recipients given out at the annual MAC Swimming Championships, and the David B. Eavenson Award given out at the MAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships by the PIAA Track & Field Officials to the winners of selected men’s and women’s events. Eavenson coached swimming for 24 years and compiled a 151-84-2 record. He saw four undefeated seasons, three MAC Championships, 10 Little Three Championships and a still-to-be-equaled record of 36 consecutive league victories. Eavenson was named “Master Coach” by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA). While coaching swimming he also served as the athletic director and men’s soccer coach. He served as a member of the NCAA Swimming and Diving Rules Committee. Eavenson was a founder of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the PIAA Track & Field Officials where he served as its secretary-treasurer. He also founded the officials’ chapters for football, track and swimming. Through his employment at Dickinson, Eavenson served the MAC as the conference Vice President (1970-72) and as the Executive Director from 1976 until his death in 1988 at the age of 74. Eavenson was inducted into the Dickinson Athletics Hall of Fame in 1983. He was also inducted into the Wyoming Seminary Hall of Fame, the National Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Swimming Hall of Fame and the South Central Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
David B. Eavenson, Sr.'s Dickinson Hall of Fame Page