Dave Ambrose has been at the University of New England for two years, as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications & Operations. The Windsor Locks, Conn. native is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

What is your favorite physical location on UNE's Biddeford campus? And in the local area?
I spend a lot of time in the press boxes at our athletic facilities, so I enjoy when there is a great view from them. I like looking back into Biddeford Pool from the deck at Hazard Field. I also enjoy standing at the top of Blue Storm Stadium and looking out towards the Forum and Blue Bolt Field. Freddy Beach, looking out towards Saco, is also an area I enjoy.

What memorable moment(s) at UNE do you recall most often?
I've only been at UNE for about two years, but there have already been many memorable moments during my time. The few CCC Championships that I have been fortunate enough to see in-person have definitely been exciting. I was in the press box on the microphone for both women's soccer championship victories, so being able to count down the final few seconds and announcing that UNE was champion was very exciting. The 2019 conference championship for men's ice hockey on the road at Salve Regina also sticks in my mind as they fell behind early but responded with four goals to leave no doubt in the outcome. Also, the first football victory in program history. The game was exciting from start-to-finish and seeing our sideline react as the game-winning field goal went through was a great experience.

What factor(s) made you most want to work at UNE? And/or, what do you enjoy most about UNE?
I did not know anything about UNE and hadn't spent much time in Maine before I decided to apply for a job here. I had been at the same school for seven years and was looking to make a jump in my career. As soon as I got to campus for my interview, I knew I would accept the position if offered. I loved the location of the campus and the athletics facilities. During the interview process, everyone I met was very welcoming and spoke so highly of the university that I knew it was a place I wanted to be.

Why did you get into the profession and what has kept you in it?
Although I've never been the greatest athlete, I've been a huge sports fan my entire life, so when I was looking at what to major in in college, sport management was the way to go. As an undergrad at UMass, I tried to get involved in whatever I could because I knew I wanted to work in sports, but did not know exactly what I wanted to do. I fell in love with working on the sidelines, doing statistics and other communication duties during games, and knew that's what I wanted to do as a career. I wasn't able to get into athletics directly out of college, but worked hard until I was able to land a full-time position a few years later. I stay in the field because I enjoy watching the student-athletes be successful both on- and off-the-field. It's really exciting to tell their stories and watch them grow over the course of their careers and in the future.

What is the best professional advice you have received; something that you try to apply to each and every day?
Working in college athletics requires long hours and a lot of time on the weekends, so it's very easy to get burnt out. My previous athletic director used to always say, "Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life." You need to have a balance between both or else it'll lead to much stress and your overall happiness won't be a great. Not checking my email from home or leaving my laptop in the office when I can are definitely things I try to do as much as possible to keep that balance.

Who has been a mentor(s) related to the profession?
When I started my first job in athletic communications after college, Andy Alongi, then the Sports Information Director at Post University, helped me hone my craft. I was only working there part-time but let him know I wanted to pursue it as a career and he showed me the ropes of how to lead an athletic communications department. Once he left and I was promoted to the director position, I relied on many of my colleagues in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference to help me succeed.
 

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Catch up on previous spotlights:
Ed Silva, men's basketball
Danielle Collins, field hockey
Curt Smyth, associate director of athletics
Ashley Potvin-Fulford, women's rugby
Kasey Keenan '02, men's golf
Lyndie Kelley '11, strength & conditioning
David Venditti, women's ice hockey
Carly Gettler, women's soccer
Tristan Durgin '07, sports information
Sue Estabrook, women's lacrosse
Rick Hayes, women's swimming
Patty Williams, assistant director of athletics
Peter Ostergaard, men's soccer
Emily Zoltko '17, athletic trainer
Charlie Burch, men's lacrosse
Jasmine Honey, athletic trainer