Swarthmore College Athletics

Dave Rowley ’65 majored in Political Science at Swarthmore College, where he distinguished himself as a standout three-sport athlete and team captain. His greatest achievements came on the lacrosse field, where he earned All-America honors in both his junior and senior years. A dominant force throughout his career, Rowley was a four-time All Penn-Del selection, twice named Penn-Del Most Valuable Player, and selected to play in the prestigious 1965 North-South All-Star Game.

Rowley also excelled on the soccer pitch. He was a four-time All-MAC honoree and remains among Swarthmore’s all-time leaders in scoring, currently ranking tenth with 22 career goals. His impact on the program was recognized with his selection to the Swarthmore Soccer All-Decade Team for the 1960s.

On the basketball court, Rowley served as the team’s primary playmaker, leading the Garnet in assists for three seasons. His versatility, leadership, and competitive spirit made him one of Swarthmore’s most accomplished multi-sport athletes.

While at Swarthmore he was awarded the Dunn Award, the McCabe Leadership Award, and the Kwink Trophy.

Upon graduation, he attended the Harvard Business School where he majored in marketing and sales management. Meanwhile, the Vietnam conflict was at its height and Rowley was notified that he would be drafted into the military service after graduating. He chose to volunteer as a Naval Officer instead and served five years in the Naval Supply Corps, including a tour as the supply officer on the USS Epperson (DD-719) during combat operations in Southeast Asia. At the conclusion of his naval service, Rowley became a contract manager for Burroughs Corporation Federal and Special Systems Group. In 1978 he returned to Swarthmore College where he managed the corporate fundraising program during a capital campaign. In 1980 he joined the Bell Atlantic Federal Systems Division as a sales manager responsible for the military accounts in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Rowley retired in 2002 and settled down in Swarthmore with his wife Abigail and their 5 children. He became a PIAA certified lacrosse official in 2009 and continues to serve in this role. He also captained the senior men’s tennis team at Idle Hour Tennis Club for 18 years and continues to serve as the co-commissioner of the Greater Philadelphia Senior Men's Tennis League. 

Rowley was inducted into the Garnet Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.