Thiel College alumnus Dave Pilipovich gears up for a March Madness Cinderella story

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College alumnus Dave Pilipovich ’86 ensures the Tomcats are represented at one of the biggest sporting events on the planet as an assistant coach for the University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team.

With more than 35 years of coaching experience, Pilipovich hopes New Mexico becomes a Cinderella story when the 10th-seeded Lobos take on seventh-seeded Marquette University at 7:25 tonight in Cleveland in the first round of the South Regional of the men’s NCAA Division I basketball tournament. An average of 9.9 million people watch each game in the men’s national championship tournament referred to as “March Madness.”

Pilipovich is an important member of the Lobos’ staff. However, his journey in basketball included an important stop at Thiel as a student-athlete, where he excelled on the court as a four-year member the basketball team and was team captain his senior year. After earning a business degree from Thiel, Pilipovich spent time at various prestigious institutions, most notably as the head coach for the United States Air Force Academy, where his leadership helped elevate the program to new heights, including key victories over top-ranked teams, numerous accolades, and a solidified presence in NCAA tournaments.

In recognition of his tremendous success and contributions to the basketball world, Thiel College honored him with the Athletic Alumni Award in August 2024, a reflection of his outstanding contributions to both sport and his community.

Pilipovich has helped guide the Lobos to one of their most successful seasons in recent memory, following two consecutive 20-win seasons and last year’s return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2014.

Off the court, Pilipovich is deeply committed to community engagement and charitable causes. He has been an active advocate for initiatives such as Coaches vs. Cancer, working to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. His involvement in these efforts underscores his belief that athletes can use their platform to bring about positive change in society.

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