Dave Odell is Named Alumnus of the Year

Athletic Director Dave Odell is Westmont Alumnus of the Year and will be honored at a luncheon during Homecoming, Oct. 17. Odell, who has served as athletic director since Jan. 12, is a former Westmont basketball player, successful businessman and has served as an adjunct professor in the economics and business department for the past six years. Odell has served as the chair of the Warrior Sports Advisory Board, initiated a student-athlete mentor program and been a guest speaker in several classes.

“Dave is a wonderful example of a person who believes in the value of giving back to his alma mater,” says Teri Bradford Rouse, Westmont senior director of alumni and parent relations. “Since graduating in 1989, Dave has faithfully given his time, talent and treasure to Westmont.”

Rouse says Odell is committed to the success of others, hiring more than 100 Westmont alumni at his various businesses in the last 16 years. Odell, who is involved with several successful business ventures, including TynanGroup Inc., Anchor Point IT Solutions, and MedBridge Development Company LLC, currently employs 25 Westmont graduates. “It’s fitting that Dave receives this award as he celebrates his 20-year reunion,” Rouse says.

Odell’s Westmont pedigree extends to his parents, Westmont alumni Bill and Gayle Odell. Bill Odell serves as the athletic director at Azusa Pacific and coached the men’s basketball program there from 1991-2007. Dave’s sister, Susie Maga, played volleyball for Westmont, earning All-American honors in 1990, and works as the athletic director for St. Margaret’s High School in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Odell’s wife, DeAnna, another Westmont alumna, ran cross country and track during her college days. Dave and DeAnna live in Montecito with their three children.