Hall of Fame
Dave Samek was a star outside hitter and setter on the York men’s volleyball team for five years (1981-86). He earned OUAA first-team all-star honours in four of his seasons, the third player in program history to achieve that status, and was named a CIAU second-team all-Canadian in 1984 to become just the second men’s volleyball all-Canadian at York. He helped the team win an OUAA championship as a rookie in 1982 as well as two silver medals (1984, 1986). He participated at the national tournament twice, finishing in fourth place in his first year and eighth the second time.
In the early 1980s, David Samek was a talented young volleyball player and the York Yeomen were one of the most successful programs in Ontario varsity athletics. That success continued throughout the decade after he chose York to continue his playing career.
Samek had picked up the sport in junior high school. He’d previously played some baseball but hadn’t yet found his niche until he stepped on the court. He was a natural athlete and showed immediate promise in the sport. After several years with his club team throughout high school, he wanted to continue playing in university and was drawn to York because of the success of its men’s volleyball team, which was coming off back-to-back OUAA titles.
“Back in junior high, one of the teachers was keen on the sport. I went to one of the smallest schools in North York but we formed a club and it bloomed from there. I initially tried out and made the team, and it was my first introduction to organized sports at the club level. I took to it right away.
“I ultimately came to York because they had the best volleyball team. At the time, I had no idea what I wanted to do and the education part didn’t matter so much, I just wanted to play ball!”
Samek’s talents as both an outside hitter and a setter added immediate depth to the line-up and the Yeomen continued to dominate their opponents. He helped the squad win its third straight conference banner as a rookie and went on to put together one of the best careers the program had seen to date. In addition to the title in 1982, the Yeomen won a pair of silver medals throughout his five years and qualified for the national tournament twice. He was a captain for three years, earned OUAA first-team all-star honours in four of his seasons, the third player in program history to achieve that status, and was named a CIAU second-team all-Canadian in 1984 to become just the second men’s volleyball all-Canadian at York.
Even with all of that success, what Samek remembers most fondly is the chance to be part of a team and meet others playing his sport all over Canada.
“Being a varsity athlete was a great experience. The best part was the travel, we went all over the country. It was a lot of fun to meet players from the different teams and to get to socialize with them at tournaments.”
He remained connected to the sport for a while after his playing days were done, first as a volunteer assistant coach and then as an official while spending some time as a stay-at-home-dad to his two children, Ryan and Amanda.
After graduating in 1986 with his degree in sociology, Samek went into the trades and became a certified electrician, ultimately spending 13 years working on diesel locomotives. He first took an apprenticeship with Canadian National Railways, where he spent eight years before moving on to Bombardier for another five. He got out of the industry a few years ago with his own health in mind – he was worried about the long term effects of constant exposure to diesel fumes – and now spends his time driving a flatbed tow truck for Honda, travelling around Ontario picking up cars and delivering them to a dealership.
