Athletic Director
Only
the second Athletic Director in the history of Kennesaw State athletics,
Dr. Dave Waples is in his 18th year as the head of the Owls athletic
department.A native of Columbus, Ohio, he earned his B.S. degree at West Liberty State (West Virginia) College. He earned his M.Ed. degree at Temple University and his Ed. D. degree at West Virginia University.
Immediately prior to arriving at Kennesaw State in 1987, Waples was the Commissioner of the Gulf Star Conference based in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The then NCAA Division I league was comprised of six institutions, Nicholls State, Northwest Louisiana, Sam Houston State, Southeastern Louisiana, Southwest Texas and Stephan F. Austin.
Before becoming one of the country's top administrators, Waples had a successful career as both a player and coach. He began his coaching career as a football assistant at the University of New Mexico. Among his numerous coaching duties in various sports, Waples worked at West Liberty State in West Virginia and Valdosta State as well as coaching high school in his home state of Ohio.
His baseball teams at West Liberty State were a combined 43-14 in two seasons and included the West Virginia Conference championship and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics District title.
During his 11-year career at Valdosta State (1972-1983) he coached baseball as an assistant to Tommy Thomas. Waples is also credited with starting up the first-ever cross country program at VSU were he won four consecutive South Atlantic Conference titles from 1975-78. His team finished 3rd at the NCAA Nationals in 1978.
Under Waples, Kennesaw State has blossomed into one of the top college athletic programs in the country. During his reign, the Owls have produced six team championships as well as four individual titles. Last year the Owls won their first national championship in men's basketball and women's soccer, joining baseball (1994, 1996) and softball (1995-96) as Kennesaw State's four championship programs.
Reshaping a small, local program, Waples has garnered nationwide success for Kennesaw State as the Owls have produced conference titles in seven of the Owls eleven intercollegiate sports.
With two programs already competing at the NCAA Division I level (Men's Golf and Women's Soccer), Waples is leading the charge to move the entire program into the NCAA's highest level.
A well-respected member of the NCAA, Waples is also an astute sports historian who recently wrote a book detailing the history of Grove City (OH) High School, his alma mater.
Honorable and dedicated, he is a hands-on administrator when dealing the KSU athletic department. A constant figure who attends all KSU home events and numerous functions on campus, Waples has helped forge a strong relationship between the students, faculty, staff and athletes.
Dr. Waples and his wife, Mary, make their home in Kennesaw.