DeSales University Athletics

Debra (Gould) Springer ’97 was a standout on the women’s cross country and track & field teams. Highlights of her four-year career include earning All- Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) honors as both a sophomore and junior, with third place finishes each year in cross country, and earning All-Region honors as a senior after finishing 17th overall at the NCAA Mid-East Regional Championships. She was named MVP for the DeSales women’s cross country team in her freshman and senior years.

In track & field, Springer earned All-Region honors after placing in the top eight. She was an NCAA Division III Provisional National Qualifier in the 800- meters for indoor track as a senior. Springer received LVAIAW Outstanding Athlete in 1997 and was nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year. She was named MVP for the DeSales women’s track and field team her junior and senior years and capped off her career by being named the Female Athlete of the year in 1996-97.

Springer graduated from DeSales with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She spent one year as the assistant coach for current head women’s cross country coach, Gordon Hornig ’92. She then worked as a clinician for 11 years with the Penn Foundation—a behavorial/mental health organization that supports children and adolescents. Three years ago, she was promoted to director of two children departments at Penn Foundation (Behavioral Health Rehabilitative Services and the Autism Center).

One of the things that Springer cherishes most is the blessing of her loving and supportive family. She has been married to her husband, Mark, for five years, and they live in Macungie, Pa. Her family also includes her parents, John and Trudy, and in-laws, Charles and Joan. She has 2 sisters and 2 brothers; 5 brothers-in-law (one of whom is also a DeSales University alumnus); 4 sisters-in-law; and 10 nieces and nephews.

Debra attributes her success as a collegiate athlete to the support of the DeSales University athletic department, her former coach, Hornig, her teammates and her family. Today she carries this with her, along with the support of her family and friends, in continuing to achieve her goals as a runner by participating in various road races, including the Philadelphia Marathon in November 2008, which she plans on running again.