Daniel Neff
Lewisburg
Summary
I am a dedicated Human Resource Officer and Wrestling Coach with 10 years of experience in recruiting, developing, and mentoring individuals in High-Level Division 1 Athletics, having served as a wrestling coach at both the Naval Academy and Bucknell University. My background in the Navy equipped me with effective time management skills and the ability to thrive in multifaceted roles as a Human Resource Officer. After my tenure at the Naval Academy, I relocated closer to my wife's family and took a position at Bucknell University, where I applied my skills to develop college athletes, mentor the next generation, fundraise, and oversee numerous aspects of the wrestling program.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Wrestling Coach
United States Naval Academy
06.2018 - 08.2024
- Planning, running and overseeing daily practices
- Individually coaching wrestlers to develop and meet personal goals.
- Recruiting student athletes to attend the Naval Academy. Recruiting is primarily scouting, home visits, and phone calls to build a relationship with the student athlete along with evaluating if they are the right fit for the program.
- Scheduling official visits for student athletes to include: Scheduling and purchasing flights for the athlete and their family, booking hotels, dinners, putting them with the right host, and managing a yearly budget for recruiting expenses.
- Building itineraries for away duals/tournaments, booking team travel (buses, planes, vans, etc.), booking hotels, and managing a yearly travel budget.
- Running a 3 week 500+ athlete wrestling camp . For the last five years I have been at the Academy we have been able to generate significant ROI.
- Tracking and managing our athletes' academics.
- Tracking and managing athletes diet and training habits.
Human Resource Officer
United States Navy
06.2020 - 08.2025
- Lieutenant in the United States Navy
- As a building 1st Lieutenant I managed, maintained, and deconflicted schedules for multiple facilities across the yard servicing over 4,000 midshipmen and faculty members.
- Lead team of technicians to oversee eight athletic buildings/fields at the United States Naval Academy.
- Organize safety management plans for Active Shooters, Natural Disasters, and Fire Safety for each building under my control.
- Monitor building systems and aid in cost-control measures.
- Respond to emergency situations with building systems, staff or midshipmen.
- Submit timely reports on equipment costs and future building plans.
- Supervise new technicians and ensure each is properly mentored.
- Supervise janitorial staff and cleanliness of buildings.
- Lead instructor for ground fighting, wrestling, and striking classes at the United States Naval academy. Each midshipman attending the Academy must pass each one of these courses in order to graduate.
- Served as the combative remedial instructor, making sure none of the 4,000-student body slipped through the cracks completing these courses.
- Staying up to date with all injured midshipmen and organizing remedial testing for all who missed courses due to injury.
- Plebe Summer Leader- Organized and taught a 6-week indoctrination period before starting school at the United States Naval Academy. My roles were primarily morning PT, teaching classes and mentoring the incoming Midshipmen.
- Facilitate Brigade Physical Readiness Testing. Running approximately 4,000 midshipmen through a physical endurance test to ensure they meet the standards of the United States Navy.
Wrestling Coach/ Head of Fundraising
Bucknell University
09.2024 - Current
- Fundraising: Successfully raised an annual budget of $200,000 for the operating budget, along with $75,000 for the Buffalo Valley Regional Training Center (501(c) Non-Profit).
- Event Planning: Developed and executed social and fundraising events for both the non-profit and university, including camps, golf outings, pre-and post-event socials, raffles, and fundraising campaigns.
- Youth Club Management: Founded and operate my own youth wrestling club, building programs and structuring practices twice a week for up to 80 kids per session.
- Mentored student-athletes, fostering personal growth and discipline both on and off the mat.
- Training Program Design: Designed and implemented training programs to enhance collegiate athletes' skills and performance effectively.
- Performance Analysis: Analyzed individual and team performance metrics to develop tailored coaching strategies that meet the specific needs of each athlete.
- Team Culture Development: Fostered a positive team culture by providing mentorship and support for student-athletes, helping them thrive both in sports and academics.
- Recruitment Coordination: Coordinated recruitment efforts to attract top wrestling talent to the university program, contributing to the overall success of the team.
- Strategic Planning: Led strategic planning initiatives for competition schedules and training camps, ensuring optimal preparation for athletes.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Geology/Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
05-2016
Skills
- Leadership, Management, Problem Solving, Communication, Organization, Mentoring, Budget Management, Program Development, Facility Management, Safety Management, Recruiting, Training
Timeline
Wrestling Coach/ Head of Fundraising
Bucknell University
09.2024 - Current
Human Resource Officer
United States Navy
06.2020 - 08.2025
Assistant Wrestling Coach
United States Naval Academy
06.2018 - 08.2024
Bachelor of Science - Geology/Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
COURSES
- LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GRADUATE National Wrestling Coaches Association Jul 2016
- LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GRADUATE Rapport Leadership International
- BRONZE LEVEL LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE USA Wrestling
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
HOBBIES:
- Fly Fishing/ Any Fishing
- Boating
- Foraging
- Hiking
- Hunting
AWARDS:
- Solanco High School Hall of Fame
- District 3 Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Lock Haven Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Bucknell University Impact Award
- (forget what my Navy Award was)
COMPETITIVE EXPERIENCE:
International:
- Competed in the Dave Schultz Memorial 2x
- Competed in the N.Y.A.C
College:
- 4x NCAA Division I national qualifier for Lock Haven University wrestling team
- 2012 PSAC freshman of the year
- Compiled a 109-46 record
- 2015 NCAA Division I All American
- First All American for Lock Haven since 2007
High School:
- PIAA State Champion 2010-11 135 lbs
- 3x PIAA State Qualifier
- 2010 PIAA state 4th
- 2011 Super 32 Finalist
- 2011 Dapper Dan Team Pennsylvania representative