Dave Sholler Finds Growth Outside The Comfort Zone

When Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid scored 70 points in one game in the 2024 season, Dave Sholler ‘06, a Communication Studies graduate, looked up into the crowd and thought, “this is my life. I’m watching arguably one of the most transcendent players in the history of our sport in a building I grew up sitting in the nosebleeds hoping I’d have this opportunity.”

Transcendent also describes Sholler’s own journey.

He is chief communications officer for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) and the Philadelphia 76ers, a role that he grew into after serving as an executive vice president of communications for the 76ers. His communications journey began in Las Vegas with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and after an 8-year “ride of a lifetime,” he returned to New Jersey to work for his hometown team.

“When I left Las Vegas after almost a decade at the UFC, I had this incredible opportunity to come home. I was an intern at the Sixers in 2004-2005 thanks to Stockton. For the last 7-8 years that I’ve been here, the owners, leaders, have grown a portfolio to include so many teams, brands and leagues. I now have the opportunity to work across the NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB, major league soccer, NASCAR, the European soccer league, and the English Premiere League. It’s been overwhelming that my journey started from modest beginnings in South Jersey. I trace the foundations back to that little campus on Lake Fred that isn’t so little anymore,” he said.

We asked Sholler to break down his advice to help fledgling Ospreys stand out. “The process begins the moment you receive an acceptance packet because that’s when you begin to meet people. Networking is one of the keys to success. A college degree is not enough; you need persistence to grow a skill set,” he said.

“Early in my career, I embraced the comfort in being uncomfortable because this is where growth starts. For any level of success in today’s professional world, you have to embrace the ability to be uncomfortable,” he said.

In other words, apply to the job, raise your hand, join that club and go to the event.

“I felt like I got the type of mentorship and connection with professors and directors that I wouldn’t have gotten at a bigger school,” he said.

His favorite memories were helping to run the WLFR radio station, taking the opportunity to work closely with Chris Rollman in Sports Information, being a part of games and events and feeling the sense of community on campus.

A career in communications has given Sholler a front row seat to witness sports history.

“Being a part of the growth of the UFC was transformative for my career—signing the first landmark television agreement with Fox Sports in 2011 and helping coordinate the largest transaction in the history of sports when UFC was purchased by Endeavor in 2016. Those were moments where I felt (even at the smallest scale) the type of impact we can have on brands and teams. Being a part of the restoration of the 76ers brand and team over the last 8 years—a team I grew up rooting for, a team I interned for and have seen 20,000 people chanting MVP at Joel Embiid—that’s something I try not to take lightly,” he said.

Sholler doesn’t take his dream job for granted. “I still remember my upbringing. I’m the son of a drug addict and my mom worked hard to make ends meet as a waitress and restaurant shift manager. These opportunities don’t come along very often, so my inspiration is to stay at the top of my game, so I can do what I love every day,” he said.

It’s easy to shift a career into cruise control as you get older, but that’s not how Sholler wants to cross the finish line.

“I want to continually push for growth and intellectual curiosity. Life moves quick, and you’ve only got one shot,” he said.

Story by Susan Allen