Willamette Defensive Back David to Play Professional Football in Germany

By John Lind, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, ORE. -- Senior safety Dominic David (South Salem HS/Portland State University) may have wrapped up his Willamette football career last fall, but he hasnt left the field quite yet.

David recently signed a contract to play with the Hamburg Huskies of the German Football League (GFL). He will join the team on the first day of summer and play the entire season, which runs through the end of September.

It has always been a goal to continue playing football at the highest level possible, David said. I have been working out and doing field work in preparation for my season.

On top of his playing for the Huskies, David also will be working for the teams doctor to get experience in sports medicine, a field he hopes to someday enter. David said he was excited to get the experience at a level of professional sports, treating athletes from professional soccer as well as professional basketball and hockey.

David transferred to Willamette after playing one season at NCAA Division I Portland State University. As a three-year player and a two-year starter for the Bearcats, he recorded 124 tackles (70 unassisted), eight interceptions and 10 pass break-ups. He was named Second Team All-Northwest Conference in 2011 and 2012.

While David has always had aspirations of playing after college, European football wasnt on his radar before joining the Bearcats. I didnt know much about the European leagues until I came to Willamette and saw several Willamette graduates going there to play, he said.

David is not the first Bearcat to travel across the pond for football. Other recent Bearcat standouts like Harmon Bruno, Lukkes Gilgan and Jose Green have all had similar experiences playing abroad.

In order to set up this opportunity, David said he compiled a highlight reel and posted it onto a recruiting website. Within a couple weeks I was having conversations with coaches, David said. The Hamburg Huskies opportunity came when the other American player [on the team] noticed me and contacted the coaches.

Although football is a predominantly American sport, David said he expects the level of competition to be respectable. They are phenomenal athletes over there, David said. The sport itself is new and on the rise.

Davids trip to Germany will be his first time outside of the U.S. He said he still has to get his passport and, more importantly, prepare himself for such a major change. Although he doesnt speak any German, David said he is looking forward to immersing himself in the culture.

Im excited to learn what life is like in Germany, David said. It will be interesting to see their taste in food, music, and leisure activities.

No matter where David travels and plays, he is certain that his Willamette experience will continue to be a critical tool with which (will empower him to) he can take on new challenges.

Being a Bearcat has taught me the values in listening and learning from other people, David said I look forward to sharing my college experience with everyone there.