For Dave Ananayo '19, success is measured by the progress of the people he serves. Ananayo helps clients and elite athletes reach their goals through the same principles of hard work and discipline he brings to his daily regimen. This commitment has earned Ananayo Lindenwood University's Alumni Merit Award.

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in exercise science, Ananayo began training a wide variety of clients including those with disabilities or injuries, athletes, and members of the general population seeking to improve their fitness. Ananayo's professional work includes a significant focus on hockey performance and athlete development. He begins his mornings working with TPH St. Louis Hockey Academy before serving as head strength and conditioning coach for Lindenwood's men's ice hockey team. In that role, he reviews injury notes, collaborates with staff, and develops off-ice conditioning programs to support athlete readiness. He also conducts performance testing to prepare players for competition. In addition to his work at Lindenwood, Ananayo serves as head strength and conditioning coach for the AAA Blues hockey club.

Outside of team environments, Ananayo works with clients through personal training and specialized sessions, including those with special needs. He focuses on improving mobility and supporting their daily needs. While his work includes elite athletic performance, the most meaningful impact of his career comes from helping clients rebuild independence through training and rehabilitation. "It's awesome getting to work with elite athletes and helping them win games, but it's extremely special to me to work with somebody that comes to me barely able to walk, not even able to stand up," Ananayo said. "Watching them take that first step again or watching them be able to be self-sufficient again, that's an unreal experience."

Ananayo has also played a significant role as a mentor to aspiring coaches and performance professionals. Through hands-on experience and ongoing guidance, he has worked closely with interns and young coaches as they develop their skills and define their career paths. Many of those he has mentored have gone on to secure positions at the collegiate and professional level.

The Alumni Merit Award was designed to recognize alumni whose ongoing work has demonstrated service that enhances the prestige of the University. Ananayo's impact extends from elite athletic performance to the clients he works with each day. While his influence is evident in Lindenwood's success on the ice, it is equally present in the people he has prepared to move forward in their careers and daily lives.