West Liberty University Athletics

    Dave Delande won multiple All-America and Academic All-America honors during a record-setting wrestling career at West Liberty from 1983-86. The St. Clairsville, Ohio native was a three-time NAIA All-American in three different weight classes. He placed 7th in the 1983 NAIA championships at 142 pounds, 4th at 150 pounds in the 1985 Nationals and was national runner-up at 158 pounds in the 1986 meet.
    Delande still ranks among the Hilltoppers’ all-time leaders with a 96-23 record on the mats. He set West Liberty career and single-season records for pinfalls and shutout wins that are still standing after a quarter-century. Delande also was the wrestling program’s first NWCA Scholar All-American, earning back-to-back national academic laurels in 1985 and 1986.
    Delande relocated to Central Ohio after graduating from West Liberty. A Certified Public Accountant, he was serving as Deputy Director of Finance for the Columbus suburb of Hilliard, Ohio at the time of his induction.