BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian College Director of Athletics Scot Dapp has announced his retirement from the school effective Friday, July 31.
"Scot has done so much for Moravian over the last 28 years. He was an outstanding football coach and has done just as well since becoming the Director of Athletics four years ago," commented President Dr. Bryon L. Grigsby '90. "Scot has been instrumental in the returning of men's and women's lacrosse to varsity status as they begin competition next spring, the addition of the fitness center on Timothy Breidegam Fieldhouse, the renovations to Johnston Hall last summer and the new turf field that will replace the HUB Quad field in 2016. Scot will definitely be missed, and we thank him for all of accomplishments he has helped Moravian achieve over the last three decades."
Since taking over as Director of Athletics in June 2011, Dapp has overseen the renovations to Johnston Hall and the return of men's and women's lacrosse to varsity sports. He has worked closely with the Moravian Hall of Fame Committee and Moravian's Blue & Grey Club. Each year, he has organized a Players Council comprised of one representative of each team and then meets with this group once a month to discuss a variety of topics concerning Moravian athletics. Dapp has also served as a member of the teaching faculty in Moravian's Physical Education Department and was an assistant coach for the Greyhound women's softball team from 1994-2004.
Dapp arrived at Moravian in 1987 as Head Football Coach, a position he held through the 2010 season before moving on from coaching. On the gridiron, Dapp posted a 144-103-1 record over 24 seasons, the most wins in school history.
"When I graduated from college in 1973 and took a teaching and coaching position at Boyertown East, I did not think that 14 years later I would become a head football coach at a school like Moravian," explained Dapp "That was a fortunate move for me to make, and after that first season, I never thought that 24 years later I would become the athletics director.
"I've had 28 unbelievable years in Bethlehem. I can't thank an almost unimaginable list of people that made the last 28 years so enjoyable with their support and understanding," continued Dapp. "From the hundreds of football players and even the softball players I coached as an assistant with John Byrne, those are the people that make Moravian what it is."
Dapp's teams strung together 11 consecutive winning seasons (1988-1998), which is the longest streak in school history. His Hounds were Middle Atlantic Conference Champions in 1988; Commonwealth League Champions in 1993 and they made postseason trips to the NCAA playoffs in both of those seasons. The 1988 team was the first football team in Greyhound history to advance to the NCAA playoffs. Dapp-coached teams also earned postseason berths in five ECAC Championship games (2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, and 2010); winning ECAC titles in 2005 and 2010. He also received Coach of the Year accolades from the Middle Atlantic Conference in 1988, 1993 and 1997.
"Scot has been a tremendous asset for Moravian for the last 28 years, first as football coach and then as athletic director," 22-year Head Softball Coach and Associate Athletic Director John Byrne '82 said. "He has been an amazing mentor, colleague and friend since he came to Bethlehem. We'll miss his leadership and his passion for Moravian."
During his years as Moravian's football coach, Dapp was active in national issues for Division III and served for three years as the Chairman of the Division III Football Council. His national involvement took on even greater responsibilities when, in 1999, he was elected to the Board of Trustees for the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). The AFCA has over 10,000 registered members made up of coaches from all levels of the game. Six years after being named to the Board, Dapp was elected as the President of the AFCA making him only the fifth Division III coach to hold that position in the 83-year history of the Association at that time.
In 2002, Dapp was recognized by the All-American Football Foundation with the John Vaught Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding performance in his profession. That same organization also honored him in 2007 with the Outstanding Association President Award. In 2006, he received the John Whitehead Award at the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic for his contribution to the game of football. In 2008, Dapp was inducted into the Boyertown High School Football Hall of Fame.
From 2010 through 2012, Dapp served on two NCAA Committees: the Football Rules Committee and the Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports Committee. In 2011 and 2012 he was the Chair of the Football Rules Committee.
"Scot knew what it was like to be a coach," stated 28-year Head Women's Basketball Coach, Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women's Administrator Mary Beth Spirk. "He was our head coach in the department. He treated everyone fairly and was a great leader over the past four years. I personally will miss him. He was my colleague for 28 years... a great man for Moravian over those years."
Dapp is a 1973 graduate of West Chester University earning a BS in Health & Physical Education. After three years of teaching in the Boyertown Area School District, he entered graduate school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill receiving a Master's Degree in Physical Education in 1977. That same year he also received certification as an athletic trainer by the National Athletic Trainers Association. Prior to his arrival at Moravian in 1987, Dapp had previous coaching stints at Delaware State College (assistant coach, 1986); Susquehanna University (assistant football & Head Baseball Coach, 1979-1985); and Kutztown University (assistant coach, 1977-78).
"Deciding to retire is not easy but I feel it is the right decision for me at this time," commented Dapp. "People have already been asking my what I plan on doing, but I don't have any plans right now. I just want to soak things up and if something comes along, then I'll make a decision. Leaving Moravian is not an easy thing to do but I think the time is right. The College is in great hands with the current leadership under Dr. Grigsby. The athletic department is strong and is moving in the right direction so I'm leaving with a peace of mind.
"Moravian College is not my alma mater, but in my mind, I will forever be a Hound," finished Dapp.
Moravian will immediately begin a national search to fill the Director of Athletics position.