Greetings Royals,

Welcome back to another year of The Royal Way Sunday Playbook! The Sunday Playbook is an inspirational piece that encompasses the core Jesuit values that form the basis of The Royal Way. As I prepare to step down from my role as Executive Director of Athletics, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on what has made my years at The University of Scranton so meaningful. The answer is simple: the people!

I am deeply grateful for the support, trust, friendship, and commitment that so many of you have shown throughout this journey. Whether you are a student-athlete, coach, staff member, administrator, alumnus, donor, parent, or fan, you have helped build something truly special together.

Over the years, we have celebrated championships, milestones, and achievements. We have navigated challenges, embraced change, and continued to grow our athletics program in ways that have strengthened both our teams and our community. While I am proud of all that we have accomplished, I am even more proud of how we accomplished it.

The foundation of our success has always been The Royal Way. The Royal Way is more than a phrase. It is a commitment to living our Catholic and Jesuit values each day. It calls us to pursue excellence with integrity, serve others with humility, care deeply for one another, and recognize that leadership is measured not by titles, but by the positive impact we have on the people around us. These values have guided our decisions, shaped our culture, and defined what it means to be a Royal.

As I leave this position, I do so with tremendous confidence in the future of Scranton Athletics. The Royal Way is not dependent on any one individual. It lives in the character of our student-athletes, the dedication of our coaches and staff, and the unwavering support of our broader community. It will continue to guide this department long after my tenure has ended.

Each Sunday, members of our community receive a self-reflection written by our student-athletes that we call the "Sunday Playbook," a reminder of our mission, our values, and our commitment to continual growth. As I think about my final chapter as Executive Director of Athletics, my last entry in that playbook would be simple: be grateful, lead with purpose, serve others, and leave every place better than you found it.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving this remarkable university and athletics department. Thank you for your partnership, your encouragement, and your belief in what we could accomplish together.

Most importantly, thank you for helping create a culture that develops not only successful athletes, but exceptional people.

The friendships, memories, and experiences we have shared will remain with me forever.

You are loved,

Dave Martin