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ALUM Spotlight David Denniston '02

An NCAA Champion, former Auburn Team Captain, Olympic Trials Finalist and member of the 2003 U.S. World Championship Swim Team, David Denniston '02 has a new physical hurdle to overcome. In February 2005 Dave's spinal cord was traumatized in a sledding accident in his home state of Wyoming. After intense surgery he remains without feeling below the waist, but works diligently every day in recovery toward walking again. A special element in his recovery is the website davedenniston.com. Everyday friends, family, and people who are touched by his spirit, sense of humor and determination post emails of encouragement on the message board. In turn Dave posts a daily journal complete with pictures to keep visitors to the site updated on his progress. The Auburn Tigers Swimming and Diving Team has started a Dave Denniston Fund and is also hosting a "Swing, Dodge and Dunk" Fundraiser in Opelika on April 16 in an effort to help offset the cost of Dave's medical assistance. For more information, visit auburntigers.com.

Q. What did you enjoy most about your Auburn experience?

A. Sweet Tea, Hot Women and Fried Okra! Seriously, being a part of the swim team and just going to class everyday and meeting so many amazing people was the best part of Auburn. Football games were icing on the cake. The sense of community or "family," as it's so often called, really has an endearing charm to it.

Q. What was the best moment while swimming for Auburn?

A. Being part of the 1999 NCAA team that won the National Championship. It was a goal when I came to Auburn, and to win it all with the group of guys that were on that team is something that will be special to me for a lifetime.

Q. What led you to southern California after graduation?

A. I wanted to try swimming outdoors in preparation for the Olympic Trials in 2004. I also had heard a lot of positive things about the Irvine Novaquatics and Coach David Salo (which there is). There wasn't anything wrong with Auburn, but at that point in my life I felt like I needed a change. I had just graduated and I wanted to see what else was out there. There were a lot of things I didn't like about SoCal, as I wrote about once before. But I have to say now, that people from that area have been extremely generous, kind and thoughtful since my accident. The swimming experience outside was second to none. If Auburn had an outdoor pool, there is a good chance I would have stayed in Auburn through 2004.

Q. What or who has helped you the most to triumph through your recovery? A. There isn't any one thing that I could pinpoint. I must say that the generosity of people I've met, or haven't met, has been overwhelming. When I swam at Auburn, my effort was 100% for the team and not any personal glory of my own. I put everything I had into my races for the 19 other guys on the pool deck. With all the support I have gotten through e-mail, cards, and phone calls, I feel like I have a team behind me again. I work hard everyday because I won't let the people who are supporting me down, as much or more than any desire of my own to recover. My strongest support has been family and close friends, but to know that there are thousands of other people out there with an invested interest in how I'm doing, makes my hardest days go by with ease.