David Raff, Senior Recruiting Specialist

Southern Illinois University

[email protected]

(312) 429-4761

Throughout my professional career, it has been a passion of mine to help to put people in better positions. I came on board with NCSA because, here, I have the ability to make a positive impact on athleaders’ lives. Knowing that I can make a difference in helping a student-athlete and his or her family is one of the most gratifying feelings one could ever imagine. Growing up, I was a multi-sport athlete, playing competitive ice hockey, baseball and tennis. Hockey is what I ended up playing in college. I remember scoring my first career collegiate goal as though it were yesterday. It was against Eastern Illinois University. How cool was it that after the game, we were in the locker room, one of my teammates called out my name, and as I looked up, he flipped me the puck that I put in the net? I had no idea that he had grabbed the puck and put it to the side for me. I still have that puck, and it’s displayed in my office. One of the best parts about being on a college team is building friendships that last a lifetime. To this day, I still keep in touch with many of my teammates.

I married my college sweetheart and have been blessed with two beautiful daughters. My family and I reside in Gurnee, a town in Lake County, Illinois. Being able to share my student-athlete experiences with my two daughters is a true blessing, something of which I am very proud. Playing collegiate hockey for my university was a tremendous experience for me, and now, thanks to NCSA, I have the opportunity to help others fulfill their collegiate athletic dreams.