Staff Directory

David C. Leach

Title:
Associate Athletic Director/Director of Major Gifts
Email:

David C. Leach, Associate Athletic Director for Development at Temple University, has a diversified and progressive higher education background with over 30 years’ experience in varied university administration roles, including over 25 years in intercollegiate athletics. He has served as Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni Relations at Temple, first with the Kornberg School of Dentistry, and more recently, the College of Education and Human Development. Leach taught as an adjunct instructor in Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management and has done higher education consulting work.

Leach was previously the Director of Athletics at Bryn Athyn College (2019-2020), where he was charged with oversight of 13 NCAA Division III varsity sports and served on the President’s Cabinet. He was the administrative point on the budget, fundraising, athletic admissions, and varsity facility scheduling and operations.

Preceding his time at Bryn Athyn, Leach was Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Recreation and Wellness at the University of Pennsylvania (2017-2019). At Penn, he instituted the Recreation Advisory Committee, sat on the Healthy Penn Partners committee, and served on the Student Engagement Working Group. Leach oversaw a $10M budget and led a staff of 21 full-time professionals and over 250 part-time employees. Two successful capital projects were completed during his tenure — a renovated multi-purpose area with cardio and functional fitness areas; and an air-handling renovation, featuring the addition of air conditioning to Gimbel Gymnasium. He also attended the inaugural Penn Athletics/Wharton Leadership Academy.

Prior to arriving at Penn, Leach served at Princeton University as Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Campus Recreation (2006-2017). He was the primary administrator — managing programming, staff and coaches, facilities, and budgets associated with Campus Recreation. He sat on the Faculty Advisory Committee on Athletics and the “Healthier Princeton Advisory Board” – which integrates the work of various departments into a concerted effort to address the health and well-being needs of the Princeton University community. Leach chaired the Intramural Working Group and the Sport Club Policy Review Committee. He created the Committee on Campus Recreation and served as its chair. A capstone achievement was a $17M renovation of Dillon Gymnasium — which yielded improved access, new locker rooms, family/single-use changing/shower areas, and team rooms for the varsity volleyball and sport club programs. Leach was made an Honorary Member of Princeton University’s Class of 2017 and is a Princeton University Mathey College Fellow.

Before his time at Princeton, Leach was Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Recreation at Saint Joseph's University (1995-2006). He oversaw recreation, which included a comprehensive intramural program, the University’s sports clubs, instructional programming, outdoor recreation, Sports Complex facilities, and varsity game/event operations. Leach was a member of the Saint Joseph’s University Safety Committee and advisor to the Hand-in-Hand student service organization.

Leach began his professional career at Temple University (1991-1995), where he was an Athletics Department Graduate Assistant and the first Intramural Coordinator at Recreation Services (now Campus Recreation).

Leach has served on several boards, including the Yardley Borough Parks and Recreation Board, the Princeton Family YMCA Board and Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management Alumni Association Board.

A native of Lansdale, PA, Leach attended Lansdale Catholic High School where he played varsity baseball, basketball, and football. He is an alum of Temple University’s Fox School of Business (B.B.A. ’90) and the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (M.Ed. ’93), and has taken doctoral classes in Higher Education Administration at Temple University. While an undergraduate, Leach was a recipient of the Temple Recreation Services (Campus Recreation) “Ted Feschuk Memorial Award” for exemplary service and he also participated on the rugby team.

Leach resides in Yardley, PA with his wife, Kristen – also a Temple University alum (CLA ’92, CPH ’04), and three children – Emma, Abby and Ian.