The University of South Carolina and the broader college football world are mourning the passing of Dave DeCamilla, a two-time All-ACC selection, USC Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, and celebrated business leader, who died at the age of 77.
A cornerstone of the Gamecock offensive line from 1968 to 1970 under legendary coach Paul Deitzel, DeCamilla helped guide South Carolina to its historic 1969 ACC Championship.
His dominance on the field earned him first-team All-ACC honors in both 1969 and 1970, as well as honorable mention All-America status in his senior year.
He was later named to USC’s All-Time Football Team in 2009 and was ranked No. 11 on The State newspaper’s list of the greatest Gamecock football players of all time in 2017.
In 2013, his impact was forever enshrined with his induction into the USC Athletics Hall of Fame.
In a 2009 interview with The State, DeCamilla fondly recalled the precision and discipline that defined his playing days:
“I had, I think, one offside in my career. I still remember it: a punt against Virginia Tech.”
That sharp memory for detail and accountability exemplified the kind of player and person he was.
Dave DeCamilla Was A Multi-Sports Athlete
Born March 8, 1948, in Hudson Falls, New York, Dave DeCamilla rose through the ranks as a multi-sport athlete at Hudson Falls Central School.
He starred as co-captain of the undefeated and unscored-upon 1966 Tigers football team, while also serving as Student Council President and a varsity basketball player.
He first played football at West Point before transferring to South Carolina on scholarship, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1970.
He later completed his Master’s degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University in 1971, all while serving as a graduate assistant coach for MSU’s football team.
After College, He Became A Champion In Business
While his legacy in college football is undeniable, DeCamilla’s success extended far beyond the field.
He built an impressive career in finance and investment, ultimately becoming President and Chief Investment Officer of DeCamilla Capital Management, LLC, a Sacramento-based firm he founded in 1998.
He also served for more than two decades as Chairman of the Sacramento Employee Pension Fund, while lending his financial expertise to the public through an 11-year public radio show.
A true Renaissance man, DeCamilla even managed an olive ranch and processing business with his brothers in California, reflecting his deep commitment to family and entrepreneurship.
Dave DeCamilla is survived by his wife, Jean, whom he met while attending Michigan State, and their daughter, Emily, an accomplished tennis player and coach.
DeCamilla once said,
“Any success I may have had in athletics, business, and life was because of the support, training, and leadership I had from first grade to the present.”
Funeral arrangements are pending, and tributes from the USC and Hudson Falls communities are already pouring in.
