Bio

Before Dwayne Saunders officially began his duties at Delaware County Community College he served at Elizabeth City State University as the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach from 2017-2019 and the Director of Recreation and Wellness from 2019-2022. Mr. Saunders was appointed to the Director of Recreation & Wellness by University President Karrie Dixon to strengthen campus engagement for the student population.

Under Saunders leadership the Recreation and Wellness Department accomplished numerous achievements.  Saunders raised and spearheaded over $615,000 in Recreation Facility projects (Fitness Center, Aquatics Center, Bowling Center Outdoor and Indoor Basketball Gymnasium). Saunders directed and oversaw five sports leagues/tournaments and started the University first every Vikings Esports League and Wellness program. Before his departure he had over 300 students that participated in Recreation & Wellness programs. Saunders had the privilege to direct a staff of 28 which included office administrators, fitness instructors and work study students. 

Saunders states his favorite part of the job was “cultivating relationships, absorbing, and adding to the institutional culture, serving students, faculty, and staff, and strived to leave Elizabeth City State University better than I found it”. 

Before his stint at Elizabeth City State University Saunders served as the Assistant Athletics Director of Facilities and Events at Goldey-Beacom College. In addition to his Assistant Athletic duties, he served as the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach from 2013-2016. 

During his time with the Lightning, Coach Saunders was responsible for recruiting Corey Taite, who received multiple Rookie of the Weeks in 2014-2015 and finished his career earning the CACC Men’s Player of the Year in 2018. He then went on play professionally in Iceland in 2020-2021 season. Coach Saunders was also responsible for recruiting and developing were CACC Freshman of the Year Donte McGill in 2014, who went onto play at Division I Florida International University and Sameen Swint who is currently playing professional in the Philippines. 

Prior to his time at Goldey-Beacom College, Coach Saunders was the Men's Head Basketball Coach at Delaware County Community College from 2010-13, Saunders posted a 55-22 overall record, and the team turned in strong performances in conference tournament each year. Saunders in 2012-13 team finished with a record of 16-12 capturing a spot in the Eastern Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (EPAC) before falling in the first round of conference play. Tayqwane Wallace would go on to be honored as NJCAA Region 19 Division III Player of the Year that season.

In the 2011-12 season Coach Saunders posted at 24-2 mark and was honored as the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year (EPCC) in 2011, he led Delaware County to the school’s first EPCC title since 1996. 

In his first season 2010 -11 he led and turned around a near defunct program to an 18-8 record through his tireless recruiting. The team earned a trip to the EPCC semi- finals before they were defeated by the defending champions Philadelphia Community College.    

 Coach Saunders was also named as Delaware County Community College Coach of the Year all three seasons of his tenure (2010-2013).  Coach Saunders states that his biggest accomplishment “was seeing his student- athletes continue their academic and athletic career a four-year University”. Notable student – athletes:  Kayyir Laws (Lincoln University), Justin Wright (Mid Atlantic Christian), Domineek Owens (Goldey-Beacom College), Steven Thompson (Rosemont College), James Middleton (Penn State -Lehigh Valley) and Rashid Hines (Widener University).  

Saunders begin his administrative career at Lehigh University as the Athletics Facility and Events Manager in 2009 where he was responsible for managing operations of athletic facilities and events.

Coach Saunders is a 2004 graduate of Lock Haven University with a B.A. in Psychology and went on to earn his M.S. in Sport Management from East Stroudsburg in 2009. Saunders was born and raised in Chester, Pa. He and his wife Yolanda enjoy spending time with family.