OSHAWA, Ont. – Through the support of alumni, Durham College athletics is proud to announce the establishment of new volleyball bursaries honouring two of the most influential figures in the department's history, Stan Marchut and Dave Dobson. Together, their decades of service helped shape the culture, success, and values of Durham College sport, leaving an enduring impact on generations of student-athletes.
Both Marchut and Dobson dedicated their careers to building championship-calibre volleyball programs while prioritizing mentorship, integrity and student development. This bursaries has been created to recognize their remarkable contributions and to support student-athletes who embody the passion, leadership, and dedication that defined their legacies.
To make a donation to the bursary, click HERE and complete the Durham College Online Giving Form. Under designation, select Bursary, Scholarship (name) and type Stan Marchut and Dave Dobson Bursaries to have your gift directed to the fund.
Stan Marchut
Stan Marchut has been a cornerstone of sport in the Durham Region for decades, leaving a lasting mark on both secondary and collegiate athletics. A graduate of the University of Toronto, Marchut built a distinguished career in education while becoming one of the most accomplished coaches in Canadian college sport.
Marchut joined Durham College in 1984 as head coach of the women's volleyball program and quickly established the Lords as a perennial contender. Over a remarkable 24-year tenure, his teams compiled 357 victories against just 139 losses, the most wins by any coach in Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) history. From 1984 through 2008, Durham never missed the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) playoffs, captured ten provincial medals, and won four OCAA championships. His teams also reached the national stage on multiple occasions, highlighted by a bronze medal performance at the CCAA National Championship in 1986.
A seven-time Coach of the Year, Marchut was recognized nationally with the CCAA Coaching Excellence Award in 1994 and was inducted into the Durham College Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Even after retiring in 2007, he remained closely connected to the program, continuing to support women's volleyball at Durham. His legacy endures not only in wins and championships, but in the countless student-athletes shaped by his leadership.
Dave Dobson
Dave Dobson was a foundational figure in Durham College athletics and one of the most influential coaches in the history of the men's volleyball program. He joined Durham College in 1977 as head coach and quickly transformed the Lords into a consistent OCAA contender. Over the next decade, Dobson built a program known for competitiveness and excellence, highlighted by an OCAA gold medal in 1987, along with multiple provincial silver and bronze medal finishes.
Dobson's legacy was defined by more than on-court success. A four-time OCAA Coach of the Year, he played a central role in establishing Durham College as a nationally respected men's volleyball program. Known throughout the Durham Region as "Mr. Volleyball," Dobson was deeply committed to student-athlete development and was instrumental in launching and expanding the DC Summer Volleyball Camp, helping introduce and develop the game for generations of young athletes.
In recognition of his lasting contributions, Dobson was inducted into the Durham College Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, and the men's volleyball rookie of the year award continues to bear his name. Even after stepping away from the bench, he remained a passionate supporter of Durham College Athletics, contributing to major events, fundraising initiatives, and the successful hosting of multiple CCAA National Championships between 1990 and 2003. His impact continues to be felt through the strength of the men's volleyball program and the many student-athletes who benefited from his guidance.
