Coach, Runner, & Physical Therapy Student.

My name is David Alfano and ever since I entered the wonderful sport of track & field, I knew I wanted to help others train and compete at the highest possible level.  Currently, I am living out my dream as a Doctor of Physical Therapy student at Seton Hall University and a cross-country and track & field coach at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, NJ.

I was born and raised in West Orange, NJ where I grew up playing many different types of sports including basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, and cross-country/track.  Like many other teenagers, I had ambitions of being an NBA basketball player, which of course were not likely given my thin 5’10/150 pound frame.

By freshman year of high school I quit every other sport to pursue cross-country and track & field since I was excelling here at a greater rate then the others.

Upon graduation, I was fortunate enough to earn a full scholarship to Seton Hall University to compete for the Pirates in the Big East while taking classes in the Physical Therapy Doctorate Program.

I was extremely grateful for the opportunity given to me at Seton Hall, however after one year  I transferred to La Salle University.

At La Salle I had much better success on the track and in the classroom. I ran PR’s (personal records) of 3:50 for 1500 meters, 8:07 for 3000 meters, 14:26 for 5000 meters and for the first time in my life I achieved a high academic honor; I was selected to the Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team, an award given to those who excel in the classroom and on the track.

After graduating from La Salle University with a secondary education degree, I was offered a job at Richard Allen Prep Charter School in Philadelphia teaching mathematics.  I also started a middle school track and field team; we were pretty good.

After three amazing years in Philadelphia working with some of the best people I have ever met, I came back to West Orange and was offered a job teaching 6th grade mathematics.

After cross-country, I also started coaching the mid and long distance runners at West Orange High School, my alma matter.

At West Orange, my biggest learning curve took place with coaching and especially dealing with a variety of injuries! 

After two incredibly rewarding years at West Orange High School, an opportunity presented itself at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, NJ to coach alongside the legendary Marty “Doc” Hannon and Chelule N’getich.  I am still coaching here.

I forgot to mention, I also left the profession of teaching.  After six incredible years of education and ten years after initially leaving physical therapy, I took a leap of faith and was readmitted into the Seton Hall University Doctorate Physical Therapy Program.

During my summers home from college until I was accepted into physical therapy school, I worked at the Morristown Running Company where I met wonderful people and learned how to properly fit runners for footwear and orthotics.