Dale Fava, Teacher On and Off Mat

Caitlin Filja

Class of 2020

I sat down and interviewed teacher and coach, Dale Fava. After joining the Wolf Pack in 2017, he quickly added more titles to his plate than just math and business teacher. He began to get more involved, becoming Immaculate Conception’s track coach. In addition to coaching here at IC, one can catch him on the field, coaching Lodi’s football team in the fall and their wrestling team in winter. Just this year, he became the first coach of an all- girls wrestling team at Immaculate Conception. One would think that he doesn’t have time for himself. With a schedule like this, you’d think he sleeps at ICHS. However, after sitting down with him, his passion for sports and others was evident.

Q: Tell me a little about yourself.

A: “I grew up in Elmwood Park, Where I went to elementary school there. When deciding for high school, I went to visit all the catholic schools like Saint Joseph’s, Bergen Catholic, and Don Bosco and when I visited Don Bosco, it was the nicest and it felt different to go there.”

Q: High school sports life?

A: “I played football and wrestling. I mostly liked football, but I was also a really good wrestler. I wanted to go to a school that wasn’t already established for their sports. I wanted to be apart of beating the best. I would be at school at 6:30 am and not leave until 8 pm, it was all sports and academics for me. The training never stopped, all year with football and wrestling. Being at 5’6 I had to put in a lot of work, I would bulk up for football and then cut down weight for wrestling.”

Q: College sports life? Did you choose your college because of sports?

A: “Yes, originally I did, I had a few Division 1 offers for wrestling, I decided on Lock Haven University where I got a full ride. I liked it there, athletically and academically. But, my health got in the way, and I ended up getting MRSA. After the first year, I made the decision to transfer because it shut down my immune system and I was dying. I was playing through my illness, so I made the decision that it was not worth my health anymore. So, I transferred to Delaware Valley College, where I was able to wrestle and coach over there.”

Q: How would you describe yourself as a teacher? Coach?

A: “I would describe myself as energetic, motivated, and always striving to get the best out of my students and athletes. Also, really try to see their talents and characteristics in school and sports because a lot of the time they work out hand and hand. You can see who takes their hard work in school or on the field, mat, or court. My overall passion for sports, teaching, and coaching has come from my coaches in high school from what they did for me and the passion they had in what they do. After being a business major for three years, I decided it was time to give back to the school system and high school sports.”

Q: What is most important to you when it comes to being a teacher and coach?

A: “The most important thing between sports and academics and teaching and coaching is basically making sure my students and athletes are successful in the future. Whether they are successful athletically or academically, getting them to college and graduating is the goal. Then getting out in the real world and making an impact is important to me.”

Q: What did you major in? Why did you choose it?

A: “ Originally, I chose physical therapy, then I changed it to criminal justice, because I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to do yet. As I got into my grad classes, I ended up getting my bachelor degree in business sports management, which I love because I deal with it on a day to day basis. I also received a masters in business administration. I chose business because when I was coaching at the college level, my athletic director mentioned the opportunity to me and said it will benefit me and better my education, so I decided to pursue it.”

Q: What is something you always preach to your athletes?

A: “ To be better than they were yesterday. In all the sports I coach, I know you don’t always get the most talented athletes and some athletes who just start a new sport, and I tell them every single day you wake up, just be better than yourself. You're not always going against your opponent, you're going against yourself. Also, to take pride in yourself and what you do, and be professional on and off the field. Lastly, win or lose you should always act the same way and act like you’ve been there.”

Q: How do you motivate your athletes?

A: “Motivating your athletes is different especially when coaching boys and girls because they have different factors in which they are motivated by. Overall, it is by bringing positive energy everyday, which is very hard because if I don’t bring in positive energy then they won’t be motivated, they have to feel it and see it. You can feel positive energy when it is around you. Many athletes have their different reasons for being out there and finding out every single individual why is important. Understanding them is important to me, because at the end of the day, you may be playing a sport, but if you don’t know why, it is very hard to give your 100 percent.”

Q: What is the most difficult situation you have ever faced as a coach or teacher?

A: “ One of the most difficult situations I’ve ever faced as a coach, was my first year coaching Lodi Wrestling at Lodi High School. One of our heavyweights was doing pull ups on the pull up bar with resistance bands that had mountain climber clips hooked on. The kid fell off and the clip snapped and clipped through his eyelid. He was screaming in agony and for help. I rushed over and had to react to the situation, I was able to walk in through unclipping the clip to not pierce his eye. By the time, I was able to help him, the ambulance had arrived helping him furthermore. If I hadn’t reacted and helped him he could have had a serious injury.”

Q: What have you learned from your mistakes as an athlete?

A: “My mistakes that I have learned from is you have to do everything right, to get the results you want. No matter how talented you are, you have to be willing to do every single little thing, from your diet, to your sleep patterns, and your workouts.”

Q: What is your goal for this first time IC wrestling team?

A: “ My goal is to build a top level program and get a lot of girls to join the sport. I would like us to be one of the best programs around. Also, to move forward with girls wrestling and make an impact as it is becoming one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. Currently, we are the only all girls school in New Jersey. For this season, my goal is to get a couple girls down to states and even place.”

Q: How do you relax when you’re not coaching?

A: “ I don’t have as much relaxing time between paperwork, scouting, and being there for my athletes. I know that its work season and that there is no time for breaks. Come June, I’ll be able to train people, but I can relax. I’m still coaching, but not teaching come the summer. In the summer I go to the beach, hang out at home, and spend time with my family. I’m always figuring out ways to help my athletes and students even in my free time. Lastly, in my free time I like to read things about coaching and how to be better.”

Aside from Dale Fava’s all year round busy schedule, you can find him curled up reading a good book or spending time with his family, especially his nephews! He is a hard working coach and teacher with enthusiasm and positivity. I have learned a lot from him being my college algebra teacher and wrestling coach.