After 47 years with Robert Morris University, Dr. David Synowka has decided to retire. Over the years, Synowka has established the Sport Management program as one most popular and top programs in the country.

Over his long career with the university, he was an athletic trainer for 10 years and was part of a group to establish the Sport Management program at RMU. He also taught classes and served as the department head at the university.

When the program first started, RMU was growing an athletic program as well. Synowka told RMU Sentry Media, “The first athletic training room was over in Gus Krop Gym in the back of the environmental science laboratory. It was like a 15 by 9 room. It started to expand out in that area and they got a universal weight machine, which was not nationally adequate enough.”

Synowka explained his first steps while being the head athletic trainer for a new athletic program.

“My first step as Head Athletic Trainer was to get a facility. Kevin Colbert was a student and he helped me lay the carpet and helped me bring in stuff. We started to add some weight training, free weights, and other types of conditioning equipment to help improve the performance of our athletic teams.”

Over the years the program has produced many successful alumni and many well-known names including former Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager, Kevin Colbert and RMU Athletic Director, Chris King.

Kevin Colbert, was a student while the Sport Management program first started at Robert Morris. Colbert spoke about the impact Synowka has had on his career.

“You know, after I graduated, and Dave worked with us there, so at a really young age, you know he was part of a growing athletic program that tried to help young athletes like myself, and you know, he was there for us then. He continued it into the academic world. I believe he’s helped so many young students, not only with their education but with their real work experiences and moving on into the professional world.”

Synowka has had a major impact on many students careers and professional lives but he’s also made a significant impact on the success of the program at RMU. The program has adapted to many changes over the years in the world of sports.

Sport Management professor Dr. Artemisia Apostolopoulou spoke about Dr. Synowka and the success of the program.

“Dr. Synowka is one of the first faculty members of the RMU Sport Management program. Over the past 40+ years, he became the heart and soul of the program. His influence can be seen in every aspect of this program: its full-time and part-time faculty, the curriculum, partnerships across campus and throughout the sports industry, our Advisory board, and of course our flagship event, the sport management career summit will be held for the 20th time this coming fall.”

While at RMU, the sport management summit was introduced. The summit brings together alumni and Sports professionals across the country. It is a networking event for students at RMU and other schools to meet and talk with professionals.

Chris King spoke highly of Dr. Synowka and the summit.

“ As a sport management alum, of course, I am biased. The sport management summit has served a tremendous purpose over the years in providing networking and career/professional opportunities for the School of Business and sport management students in all sports and recreation industries and provided connections with sports organizations and industry leaders for career advancement. Dr. Synowka has led these efforts for many years, and has made the necessary connections with the sport organizations, industry leaders, and RMU alumni to attend the sport management summit and provide professional development, internships, and career opportunities for RMU students.”

After Synowka’s retirement, there will be a long legacy for the program and the university.

King talked about Synowka’s legacy, saying, “Dr. Synowka has placed his heart and soul into RMU and the School of Business. He will have a lasting impact on the alumni he has served throughout many years, from assisting in obtaining internships to providing guidance on career and professional advancement, to continuing to network on behalf of RMU students with industry leaders on their behalf. This is one alumnus that I can tell you would not be the Vice President and Director of Athletics at his alma mater without Dr. Synowka’s continued efforts.”

Many of his fellow colleagues have enjoyed working with Synowka over the years including professors and other faculty.

Dr. Apostolopoulou had this to say about what it’s been like working with Synowka. “Over the years, I have seen him on numerous occasions navigate difficult student issues with fairness and honesty and with concern for the student’s short- and long-term well-being. Dr. Synowka extends that same care to his colleagues; he supports us and is invested in our professional fulfillment and overall well-being. I have learned a lot from him and am very thankful that he took the time to mentor me over these past 17 years.”

Dr. Apostolopoulou was not the only colleague who has had a very good work relationship with Dr. Synowka. Chris King was a student at Robert Morris and is now the Athletic Director and a part of the Sport Management board.

“I have been on the sport management advisory board for quite a long time, so many years, that I have lost track, to be honest. Dr. Synowka and I have worked closely for many, many years and he has used me as a close confidant throughout the years not only on the college athletics and higher education industry but also on the new trends and current events. He has asked me to speak on numerous panels at the Sport Management annual summit/ institute, roundtables, and even serve as the keynote speaker several years back. He has strong relationships with the sport management board members throughout the years.”

Synowka has had a decorated career as a trainer, professor, and department head of the Sport Management program for 47 years. As he retires, the Sport Management program will miss his expertise and leadership.

RMU Sentry Media joins the rest of the university in congratulating Dr. Synowka on a fantastic career and wishes him all the best as he will retire at the end of August.