When Dave Jonas ’78 returns to campus each winter, he follows a familiar ritual. He flies in on Thursday, heads straight to the courts to hit with the men’s tennis team, cheers on their Saturday matches, and heads home Sunday.
It’s more than just a visit. It’s a homecoming to something that has shaped the majority of his life.
A political science major, Marine Corps officer, attorney, educator, and national security leader, Jonas has built a distinguished career since graduating from Denison. But through every chapter, one constant has remained: that fuzzy yellow ball.
“Years and years later, tennis is still so important to me,” he said. That lifelong connection to the sport he loves is why Jonas has become one of the program’s most dedicated supporters. He stays in touch with his old teammates, returns regularly to watch the team compete, and directs his philanthropy to help current and future student-athletes thrive.
“There are a number of organizations that are special to me, and yet Denison tennis is No. 1 among all of them,” he said. “In terms of how much I give, how often I give — Denison tennis is in my will.”
The team’s top player all four years — and an NCAA qualifier his senior year — Jonas was a leader in forging his team’s drive, commitment, and cohesion. Nearly five decades later, the friendships formed on those courts remain strong. Each year, he and fellow tennis alums reunite to watch the current team compete, celebrating a program that continues to play a meaningful role in their lives.
That enduring connection is one reason Jonas believes so strongly in supporting the team. He has watched men’s tennis rise from an unranked team to a national champion under Coach David Schilling, a transformation he proudly followed every step of the way.
“I know a lot about leadership from the Marine Corps. You have to motivate people,” Jonas said. “You have to motivate a team to achieve great things, and Schills does that, with humor and understatement. He’s really a great leader.”
When Denison won its first NCAA Division III championship in 2025, Jonas and his former teammates were glued to the livestream, texting back and forth throughout the match.
“I was just elated,” he said. “I could see it all coming together. And so quickly.”
Schilling credits supporters like Jonas for helping make that success possible.
“Dave’s dedication to Denison men’s tennis has been extraordinary, and our program simply would not be where it is today without his support,” Schilling said. “His contributions have helped us raise the standard in every meaningful way — from building one of the most comprehensive data analytics operations in Division III, to upgrading our travel schedule so we can consistently compete against the nation’s best, to strengthening our ability to recruit top-level players.”
Just as importantly, Jonas has built meaningful relationships with players and become a trusted presence around the program. “He’s generous with his time, offering thoughtful advice, perspective, and mentoring that goes well beyond tennis,” Schilling said. “His passion for Denison tennis is authentic, steady, and deeply appreciated by everyone in our program.”
For Jonas, philanthropy is about investing in something that has given so much to him.
“I just want to give to things that are meaningful to me personally,” he said. “Tennis has been a lifetime sport for me. It’s just a joy I can’t even describe.”
His gifts support the men’s tennis program directly, helping provide the resources needed to compete at the highest level and create a first-class student-athlete experience. Jonas has also participated in matching gift challenges to inspire others to step forward. “I told my guys on the team, ‘Look, I don’t care what you give. Give something.’”
What matters most to him is seeing the impact firsthand.
“When I give to the tennis team, I can see it,” Jonas said. “I can literally see it and feel it.”
That belief in long-term impact mirrors the way he thinks about tennis itself. Now approaching 70, Jonas still competes and continues to return to campus to hit with current players. He hopes today’s student-athletes will one day feel the same connection he does.
“My fondest hope for them is that 45 or 50 years down the road, they’ll still be able to play tennis,” he said. “And they’ll be able to come back here and hit with somebody on the Denison tennis team.”
More than 50 years after wearing a Big Red uniform for the first time, Jonas keeps showing up — as a fan, mentor, alum, and supporter. Through his philanthropy, he is helping ensure future generations of Denison student-athletes can experience the same sense of belonging, opportunity, and lifelong connection.
“It’s something that has been meaningful to me literally since 1974,” he says. “And then to still be involved — to still get to see it — that’s incredible.”