Dave Durante, a 1976 UBC Physical Education graduate, ranks as one of this faculty’s most versatile athletes, which is saying something.
While a student Durante played hockey for UBC, not the Thunderbirds but the Braves, during the days when UBC iced two hockey teams. Even though a good hockey player, Dave’s real sport was lacrosse as he came from a lacrosse playing family. In fact Dave Durante is considered one of this country’s all-time greatest lacrosse players.
It started in 1971 when he starred with the Richmond Roadrunners, national champions and still considered one of the best and most entertaining Junior ‘A’ lacrosse teams to come out of the west. Durante did have a great supporting cast but his terrific two-way play and athleticism put him in the feature role.
Durante seamlessly made the transition to Senior A’ lacrosse becoming an even more heralded star. The New Westminster Salmonbellies were considered Canada’s lacrosse team of the ‘80s winning three national Mann Cup championships and it can be said much of the credit for this success was due to Durante. “He was the catalyst, the engine that made the machine run”, recalls lacrosse historian Cleve Dheensaw.
Upon retirement in the early ‘90s Durante finished third in career total points plus held Canadian records for most Mann Cup games played and most Mann Cup points.
As a player Durante was a tireless worker rarely losing his composure, qualities which contributed to his effectiveness. Of those from UBC who have been involved with the sport of lacrosse, Dave Durante ultimately stands out as the most successful. More recently, Dave worked as a financial planner and has been honoured with induction into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
