Dan Duddy

As a high school football player in the early 1990s, I had the great fortune of being coached by Dan Duddy. In the summer of 1994, Coach Duddy painted the words 'We Will' on a piece of plywood and hung it in our locker room. Unbeknownst to him at the time, those two words would have a profound impact far-reaching beyond the players that he coached.

Each player tapped that sign every time they entered and exited the locker room, which became a tradition that lasted for over two decades.

The 'We Will' mantra is simple, cogent and powerful. It's phonetic, easily digestible, and easily repeatable. It represents teamwork and resolve. 'We Will' perfectly summarizes Aristotle's quote, 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.'

I was personally deeply influenced by the depths of the mantra as a high school football player, and so was our team. In the year it was introduced to us, our team succeeded in becoming the runner-up in the state championship game.

Nearly 20 years later, I introduced the 'We Will' mantra to a tech company that I founded and later sold for $33 million. The 'We Will' mantra was introduced and fully adopted by our employees. They had created custom shirts, stickers, signs, and more with the words 'We Will' written on them.

As a tech company, for many of our employees, this was their first introduction to being on a 'team' and working towards a common goal. For others, it was nostalgic and a reminder of their playing days with teammates.

The 'We Will' concept, especially when presented by Dan himself, is explosive and draws people back to the fundamentals that everyone should give to something greater than themselves, with the knowledge that by doing so with trust in each other, there is no ceiling to our potential together. Dan speaks to this in a unique, passionate and penetrating way.

I encourage you to invite Dan to your business to pass on the 'We Will' mantra to your team!

I feel very fortunate to have had Mr. Dan Duddy speak to our student body. As the drug and alcohol counselor at Toms River North HS for over three decades, I would say that I knew what the presentation was about, but Dan's message goes beyond a mere 'Don't drink and drive!' He goes into reaching goals, removing obstacles and overcoming suicide and depression. His many years of coaching make him a very effective motivator. It is a very powerful, emotional and important presentation. Dan was the most impactful speaker we ever had at one of our assemblies.

I've had the privilege of hearing Dan Duddy speak on more than one occasion, and I can say he definitely commands the full attention of his audience. When he spoke on Professional Day at Brick Memorial High School, you could literally hear a pin drop in the packed auditorium. I would describe his talks as inspirational life stories delivered with wisdom, humor and gut-wrenching honesty. He takes his audience on a spiritual roller coaster ride of emotions, from amusement and joy to fear and sadness. When you are spit out onto the straightaway and the ride comes to an end, you take a deep breath, sit still for a moment and contemplate what really matters in our complicated lives. And you thank God for the many blessings that surround us.

Dan is a remarkable person who has dedicated his life to helping others to be the best person they can be. I have attended many of Dan's speaking engagements. I have seen his audience laugh until their sides hurt, leave with a genuine appreciation of his message, and be moved to the point of tears. Dan never disappoints. Dan manages to weave humor, pathos, and inspiration into his moving talks. I have seen him in large venues where his gifts make each individual feel that he is talking just to them. He manages to reach his audience viscerally. There is always an appreciative buzz emanating from the audience at the conclusion of his talks. While his gifts as a speaker are well known, it is his passion that sets him apart from others. He motivates others, prompts personal reflection, offers the gift of laughter, and elevates through his message.

Dan has been at the top of my list for impactful school speakers for as long as I have been a Student Assistance Counselor. We have often brought him in to speak to our students and parents on issues of character, family, responsibility, impaired driving, and surviving and growing from personal tragedy, to name a few topics he touched on powerfully. I believe he reaches those he speaks to on a deeper level than your average speaker, and consequently has a more lasting impact. Additionally, Dan has always shown a willingness to open himself to those who hear him speak and inevitably feel the need to connect with him. He has a big open heart with a lot to offer the communities he touches. I would highly recommend him as a pre-prom speaker, or for his assistance in any other character-building or mentoring initiative.

Those that know Dan Duddy realize and appreciate his commitment, passion, and character as a teacher, coach, father, husband, and mentor. As a high school principal, I was fortunate to have Dan visit my school and address our students and staff in assembly presentations. His message of compassion, forgiveness, and appreciation resonated with our audience and it is something I will never forget. Speaking from his heart, Dan's insightful perspective sends a clear message of optimism, hope, and positivity. After hearing the story of Dan's journey and his passion for the gift of life, listeners will walk away feeling inspired by his gratitude and empowered by his genuine enthusiasm.

Mr. Dan Duddy repeatedly inspires and transforms our Central Regional High School mentor program with his speaking and mentoring. A passionate and charismatic speaker, he never fails to captivate our students, even those that are hardest to reach. His workshops and lectures inspire, educate, and motivate both my students and faculty, and truly anyone in earshot of him! I wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Duddy to anyone interested in taking their program to new heights.

Dan, once again you have come and left, leaving an indelible impact on our staff and students. We realize revisiting this event in your life must be terribly draining and difficult, yet in the interest of education and care for fellow human beings, you persevere. We appreciate it. Many staff have relayed feedback that they witnessed visible emotion as the students left the presentation. It is not only due to the content of your story, but your talent in telling it.

Dan knows how to build 'team' by speaking into people's hearts.

Dan Duddy spoke at my MOMS Group meeting several years ago. His witness embodies profound forgiveness. His compelling storytelling kept my friends and me at the edge of our seats with our eyes wide and our hearts open. There were tears. Dan's talk impacted my friends in the MOMS Group so much that we asked Dan to speak again in the evening for those who could not attend our morning meeting. During his second witness talk, Dan conveyed fresh nuances that inspired each member. Dan's life challenges me to live more fully in my Catholic faith.

Dan Duddy is the epitome of what a coach should be. He motivates, inspires and challenges those in his charge to be better. Dan has the great ability to take his coaching gifts and bring them to his speaking audiences.

Whether it is a school, retreat or conference, Dan delivers on game day. I have watched with great admiration his ability to bring the 'locker room,' as he calls it, to those he is tasked with sharing his witness. As with any great coach and speaker, Dan shares his many experiences with sports, people, and his faith to the enjoyment and encouragement of all in his hearing.

I highly recommend Dan for your next speaker series, guest lecturer, retreat or conference keynote address.

Dan Duddy is a very unique and passionate man of faith and principle whose life is dedicated to walking with all who seek to discover God's personal plan for their lives; that all in and beyond the community of faith may walk closer to each other and the Lord.

Dan's words, passion and compassion, voice and dedication speak volumes about his life's commitment to help all those he encounters to learn and live Catholic Christian vision and values of Life!

Dan's presentations are moving, compelling and life-changing. Come and see for yourselves! You'll be the better for it.

In a world that is sorely lacking direction, I have found a beacon of light and sanity shining through. That light is Dan Duddy. A man of vast experience as a coach, mentor, and counselor, leading and developing the character of men, both young and old, whom he has come in contact with. I count myself fortunate to be one of those men. He leads by example and teaches from experience. The example he sets for those he comes in contact with is one of integrity and faith, walking the walk, not just talking the talk. He knows through experience the pain of loss, which often crushes and reduces... but in Dan's case strengthened and fortified his faith and purpose in life. He speaks from the heart with passion. His ability to connect with and impart wisdom in a down-to-earth, easy to understand manner to his audiences is amazing. I have witnessed audiences riveted by his humor, his common sense, and willingness to reveal painful and personal stories. He challenges and encourages at the same time. I have witnessed, often in person, his presentations to groups ranging from high school classes to mature guys like myself. As a person who spent twenty five years in special operations and intelligence services, often in combat and in dangerous settings — I am not easily impressed by many people. Dan is one of the few who have.

I first saw Dan Duddy while attending a men's rally some years ago. After our two circles connected, I quickly learned of his very ardent desire to shape and mentor Catholic young men. His passionate presentation keeps you on the edge of your seat as a powerful and authentic witness! His patriarchal viewpoints are very much relatable to me as a father of two sons. Whenever I invite my oldest son to men's retreats he always asks, 'Will Mr. Duddy be there?' This is followed up by a very enthusiastic, 'I'm there!' As a lacrosse player and Catholic teen, he admires Mr. Duddy's qualities and looks up to him as a role model. When it comes to teaching men from the trenches of real-life fatherhood and the Catholic Faith, Dan Duddy is at the forefront!

Fifteen years ago I first heard about Dan Duddy, or rather, 'Coach' Duddy, from my son, Kevin, then a freshman on Dan's football team. As the season unfolded, I heard from Kevin about Dan's great locker room speeches (the content of which remain sacrosanct to this day), and witnessed a much more purposeful and determined demeanor in my son. Dan emphasized moral excellence, as that virtue would benefit every area of one's life. The inspirational mentoring and coaching that Kevin received from Dan helped form him into the man he has become, one who has explored nearly 80 countries and worked in several, across four continents. Since Kevin's high school years I have had the good fortune to experience several of Dan's inspirational and task-oriented presentations — given to a wide variety of audiences — and know of more than a few lives that came away transformed for the better — including mine. If you have the opportunity to experience Dan's inspirational message, then take it; if you don't, then make it!

Dan Duddy is a man's man, from a Catholic point of view. Amid the chaos and ambiguity of today's culture, Dan is a rock to his family, his friends, his former student-athletes and to his Church. Dan knows his mission in life: to partner with his wife to reach heaven with his children and all those he can influence. Dan led a Fathers & Sons Breakfast at my parish several years ago. He spoke from his experience as a father and football coach, an 'apostle of the dirt.' My son and grandsons could relate to that and made a commitment that morning to follow the Lord. Dan's message he repeats on his weekly Saturday radio program, reaching a wider audience and urging them to follow the Way of Jesus. Life is challenging and it's helpful, a grace actually, to hear a voice and mentor like Dan Duddy.