FOR RELEASE: March 17, 2022
GREAT FALLS, MONTANA – After six years with the University of Providence, Dave Gantt, Vice President for Athletics, has formally announced his resignation.
Since joining the University in 2016, Dave has directed major changes, growth, and improvements for the Athletics Program, resulting in the formation and education of over 320 student athletes. Dave’s successes have carried throughout his years at UP, as student athletes make up nearly 70-percent of recent freshman classes.
Under Dave’s leadership, Argos Athletics has enjoyed a variety of impressive accomplishments, including the University of Providence Volleyball team’s recent run to an Elite 8 finish in the NAIA tournament in 2021. The University has also enjoyed numerous Argo appearances in Conference or National Championships under Dave’s direction; including Men’s Wrestling, Women’s Wrestling, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Basketball, Men’s Basketball, multiple individual performances in Track & Field, and currently in Men’s Hockey. UP believes these successes are due in part to Dave’s role in developing a student-athlete philosophy focused on “Winning the 3 Cs” – win in the Classroom, win on the Court, and win in the Community.”
“Since day one I’ve held the opportunity to lead Athletics at the University of Providence in the highest regard, as well as a way to pay forward what I learned from Father McInnis in my time here as an undergrad. I am very grateful for my collaborative interactions with Sister Lucille Dean, Dr. Tony Aretz, Father Oliver Doyle, and many other valued colleagues. I believe our Campus Leadership, Coaches, Athletics Staff, Faculty, Support Staff and most importantly, our Student Athletes have all done great work in solidifying the reinstatement and growth Argo athletics over the previous decades. I am also grateful for the many people and businesses in our community who have been so gracious in their financial and volunteer support of Argo Athletics.” – Dave Gantt, Vice President for Athletics.
Dave has brought with him more than 35 years of experience as a high school, collegiate, and international coach, educator, and mentor, in NAIA, NCAA Division 1, and World League levels of athletics. Immediately prior to his time at the University of Providence, Dave spent seven seasons as the head volleyball coach for Gonzaga University, raising the team’s RPI from 272 to 91, with an impressive low of 35 in 2015, receiving the first top 25 votes in program history. Dave also served as an assistant coach for Team USA Men’s Volleyball in the quadrennium prior to the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.
Dave’s resignation from the university will be effective at the end of June, 2022. UP wishes Dave the best in his future endeavors.
The University of Providence (UP) is a private, Roman Catholic Liberal Arts University founded in 1932 by the Sisters of Providence. The University of Providence honors the Sisters’ vision today by providing a mission-driven education to those that need it the most. UP is located in Great Falls, Montana and offers both undergraduate and graduate level liberal arts programs and health programs.
