Name: Dan Gallagher
UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2002
Events: 50 FR, 100 FR, 100 FLY
Degree: Business Mgmt ‘02, MBA ‘14
Profession: Sales, Clinical Research
Current residence:Wilmington, NC
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
There are so many favorite memories: Saturday morning ocean swims, locker room banter, my first college meet in the fall of 1999 at Amercian with JMU and the first Men’s conference win in 2002.
But the memory that probably stands out the most is the time I walked in to the Seahawk Natatorium for the first time during the summer of 1999. I was a transferring sophomore from UNC-Asheville and I drove to Wilmington to meet with Coach Allen to talk about having an opportunity to walk on to the team. I remember walking in to the deck level door and was greeted by the huge welcoming smiles of Coach Allen and Todd Desorbo (grad assistant at the time). I dont recall what exactly we talked about, but I do remember the feeling I got speaking with Coach and Todd, learning about the program and the excitement and anticipation of having a chance to be on the team.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
Being a part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program has had a huge impact on shaping me in to the person I am today in ways that I continually notice. In particular, the ability to set goals and lay out a pathway to work towards something important is a skill and mindset that swimming helped me to develop.
Just like the ups and downs of a regular swim season, in life, there are days or periods when things are breaking, you don’t feel great and you question what the heck you are doing. Being able to not only handle those times, but to plan for the fact that they are coming sooner or later, has given me an ability to stay optimistic, keep the faith and work towards a solution to different challenges that life will toss out.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Spring of 2022 will mark 20 years since graduating UNCW – 20 years!!!! That alone makes me feel old. Those 20 years have been full of exciting life milestones- moving away from and back to Wilmington, getting married, starting a family and building a career.
I am extremely fortunate to have a wonderful, loving family to spend life with in Wilmington and we enjoy the beach, boating, playing in the pool and our 5 pets (3 cats, a dog and a bunny) together.
I’d like to return to Master’s swimming at UNCW once COVID life gets back to normal but in the meantime, to stay (somewhat) fit, I try to swim, paddle and play in the water as much as possible.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
All of Wilmington! The beach, downtown, Sandbar, campus and the short bike ride from Cardinal House to the Scotchman on Eastwood Rd.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Sea-Sea-Sea- Seaaahaaawwwkkkss!!!
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
Enjoy every moment of your college experience and take care of your mind and body.
Being a part of the Swim and Dive team is an amazing way to be a part of a very special family that gives you a solid foundation, the opportunity to build friendships and develop good habits while making the transition to adulthood. The team, the program legacy and the lessons learned will give you strength to overcome any challenge while at school and later in life.
Work hard, play hard and give your all to each other and the team and you will have wonderful memories and a special bond to last a lifetime.