David Bruce Allen

David Bruce Allen, founder and Head Coach of the UNCW Swimming and Diving teams passed away on June 20, 2023 after a long courageous fight. David or Dave, as most everyone called him, was born on October 15, 1947 in Rochester, NY to Gordon LaVerne and Iva May Birmingham Allen. He graduated from Irondequoit High School in 1965 and began his college education at Springfield College in Springfield, MA. Dave's dad had been the coach of many different teams and the Athletic Director at Irondequoit High and Dave decided at an early age he wanted to follow in his fathers footsteps, but his heart, soul and passion was swimming. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Physical Education from Springfield College and began his college coaching career at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. One year later he took the head coaching position at Potsdam State University, Potsdam, NY where he had a very successful six years coaching the men's swim team.
In 1977 he moved his small family to Wilmington, NC and began both the Mens and Women's swim teams at UNCW. He has left a lasting impact on decades of students, student-athletes and young swimmers in his 37 years of outstanding service to the Athletic Department and UNCW. David coached the men's team to 13 unprecedented consecutive Colonial Athletic Association championships from 2002-2014 and two Eastern titles and the women's team to three CAA championships from 1977-2014. He received 15 CAA Coach of the Year honors and six of his swimmers qualified for the NCAA Championships. He wanted his swimmers to excel in the pool, but also to excel in their academics, insisting on study hall and keeping in touch with their professors. Nine of his Seahawks received the Chancellor's Cup, the highest academic honor for student-athletes and another was the first UNCW student-athlete to earn an NCAA post graduate scholarship. Dave was inducted into The Potsdam State University Athletic Hall of Fame, The Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame, the NC Swimming Hall of Fame, the UNCW Athletics Hall of Fame and in 2022 the UNCW natatorium was dedicated and renamed The David B. Allen Natatorium in his honor. The student-athletes that came through his program knew he wanted them to achieve their very best both in the pool and in their academics; many close relationships were formed with firm friendships continuing long after graduation. He loved hearing from alumni from UNCW and also kept in touch with Potsdam State alumni. He thoroughly enjoyed his coaching career and was devoted to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Numerous young children learned how to swim through the Learn-to-Swim Program Dave and Ellen started in 1978 from their kitchen table. Local children and now grandchildren have flowed through the program where he himself enjoyed introducing the youngest children to the joy of swimming.
David is survived by his college sweetheart and much loved wife of 52 years, Ellen Reynolds Allen, his three beloved children and his well loved son and daughters-in-law; Matthew Gordon Allen, wife Angela of Marblehead, MA, Stephanie Allen Hoffman, husband Darrin of Rocky Point, NC and Brian David Allen, wife Crissie of Wilmington, NC. All three children were thrilled to attend UNCW and be a Seahawk on the UNCW Swim and Dive team and be coached by their father. His two brothers survive him as well, Richard P. Allen (Judy) of Rochester, NY and William G. Allen (Patricia) of LaGrange, GA. He dearly loved his six grandchildren and so enjoyed being with them - Collin Allen, Hudson Allen, Rowan Allen, Bryson Allen, Abigail Hoffman and Henry Hoffman.
David was a member of Windermere Presbyterian Church for over twenty years and served as an Elder and Clerk of the Session. Many wonderful friendships were formed with his church family and he deeply appreciated all the love, prayers and support sent his way during his illness.
A memorial service will be held at Windermere Presbyterian Church on July 1st at 12:30 pm with Pastor John Pflug officiating, 104 Windemere Road, Wilmington, NC. The service will be live streamed on the church's website. Donations in his name to the UNCW Aquahawks would be appreciated by the family in lieu of flowers.
Aquamation Services are provided by Tranquility Cremation by Aquamation.
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