Dave Owen ’73 was the undisputed leader of the Utica College athletic program from 1969-1973. His achievements on the hardwood and the diamond have stood the test of time and are certainly worthy of his induction into the Pioneer Hall of Fame.
Owen stormed on the scene in his freshman campaign and averaged 23.9 points and 13.1 rebounds per game under the guidance of men’s basketball Head Coach Joseph Rosado. To this day, 45 years later, his average of 13.1 rebounds per game in the 1969-70 season still stands as the highest single season rebounding average in program-history. His 23.9 points per game ranks second on the College’s all-time single season list, behind fellow Pioneer Hall of Famer David Ancrum ’80.
The phenomenal freshman campaign set the stage for one of the most prolific basketball careers in the history of the UC men’s basketball program. Owens currently ranks fourth on the College’s all-time scoring list with 1,406 career points and second on the all-time list with 832 career rebounds. He shot 53% from the floor (598-for-1129) in 80 games played. His career average of 17.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per game are both third on the College’s all-time list. His 598 career field goals ranks second all-time.
He was a four year letterman in both basketball and baseball and he was twice named the College’s Athlete of the Year. He was a three year team captain in basketball and baseball.
Over the course of his career he received several honors including an ECAC Scholarship, he was an All-New York State College Division All-Star, he was a four-time team most valuable player in basketball and baseball, he was named a ‘Who’s Who in College Athletics’ in 1973 and he was also a First Team All-Tournament selection at the Ft. Eustis, Va. Tournament in basketball.
Among his basketball accolades, he was also a star on the baseball diamond, breaking records for hits and RBIs during the course of his career.
Dave graduated from Utica College with a degree in social studies and went on to receive his master’s degree in history as a graduate assistant basketball coach at Iowa State University. He then spent time as an assistant basketball coach at Central Methodist College and Central Missouri State University.
He went on to teach and coach at Grain Valley High School and Southwest High School in Missouri. In 2010 he retired from Kansas City East High School after 30 years of coaching and teaching history.
Originally from Waverly, NY he attended Waverly Central High School where he played football, basketball and baseball. During his time on the hardwood at Waverly he set the school-record with 32 rebounds in a single game.
