From the Gridiron to the President’s Office: The Remarkable Journey of David Armstrong

Long before David A. Armstrong, J.D., led a university, he was helping to lead the way at Mercyhurst.A three-year starter on the offensive line for the Lakers, Armstrong distinguished himself both on the football field and in the classroom, earning All-District honors and recognition as a GTE Academic All-American. His accomplishments ultimately earned him a place among Mercyhurst’s athletic greats as a charter member of the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame.But football was only the beginning.Armstrong went on to earn his law degree, work as an attorney, coach football, serve in athletic and enrollment administration, and eventually rise to the highest levels of leadership in higher education. Today, he serves as the 10th president of St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida, where his tenure has been marked by dramatic enrollment growth, campus expansion, new academic opportunities, and an increasingly ambitious athletic program.On this episode of Etcetera with the Woodards, President David Armstrong reflects on the experiences that shaped him—from his days at Mercyhurst to the responsibilities of leading a modern university.It’s a conversation about education, athletics, ambition, leadership, and the lessons learned when the discipline of the playing field follows you all the way into the president’s office.Etcetera with the Woodards presents: “From the Gridiron to the President’s Office: The Remarkable Journey of David Armstrong.”