Dave Shaw ’77

2025 Pioneer Service Award

Dave Shaw ’77 has devoted his career and personal life to leadership and service, making a profound impact both on and off the basketball court, in the business world, within his community and at Carroll University. A proud graduate of Carroll, Shaw earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1977 and continues to exemplify Carroll’s Ethos: Respect, Integrity and Stewardship.

Shaw was a standout basketball player at Carroll University, playing from 1973 to 1977. He still holds several records, including the career points record with 2,563 points, which he accomplished before the creation of the three-point field goal. Shaw’s scoring prowess earned him national recognition, ranking as the third-leading scorer in the country during his senior year with an impressive 29.1 points per game. Over his four-year career at Carroll, he averaged 23.4 points per game. A respected captain, he embodied the values of teamwork and sportsmanship that continue to define the Carroll athletics program.

Shaw’s success on the basketball court laid the foundation for an impactful coaching career. He coached at several institutions, including a three-year tenure as head coach at Marian University, and assistant coaching roles at Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Central Florida. His teams consistently competed at the national level, and he was inducted into five Hall of Fames, including those of Carroll University in 1988 and the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. In addition, Shaw played a pivotal role in the institutional advancement department at several universities, helping to shape the future of student-athletes and programs.

Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Shaw has had a successful career in the financial services industry. Since 1992, he has worked with leading financial institutions and is currently Senior Vice President at First Business Bank Private Wealth. Under his leadership, he helped grow the bank’s assets from $40 million to over $3.7 billion, demonstrating his expertise in business management and client services.

Shaw has also demonstrated an unwavering commitment to community service and philanthropy. He has been involved in numerous boards, including United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Moraine Technical College, to name just a few. His leadership and passion for community development extend to his role as Treasurer of both the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation Board and the Fitchburg Law Enforcement Foundation. One of his most notable contributions is his role as a founding member and Board Chair of the Madison Coaches vs. Cancer event, which has raised over $10 million for cancer research.

A tireless advocate for veterans, Shaw annually fundraises and sponsors the Veterans Chicken Barbecue in Milwaukee, organizing the preparation of over 2,000 meals and raising funds for scholarships for the West Allis-West Milwaukee Monogram Club. His dedication to youth development is equally profound, refereeing for 28 years and volunteering as a youth basketball coach for 15 years, during which he coached both of his sons, JD and Michael.

An active and engaged alumnus, Shaw’s devotion to Carroll University is extraordinary. Shaw’s wife, Magali, shares his passion for community involvement, love of Carroll and a warm welcoming presence. They have played key roles in fundraising efforts and are members of the Old Main Society. They regularly attend and support a wide range of university events, such as a variety of athletic contests, regional alumni gatherings, the Toast to Pioneer Women fundraising event, the Hall of Fame Ceremony, Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, including having helped run the athletics tailgate, and more.

Shaw annually plays in the alumni basketball game and sponsors his foursome at the golf outing. As a former Carroll Hall of Fame committee member and a search committee member, Shaw has consistently worked to strengthen Carroll’s community. His advice and support are invaluable to Carroll's athletic department, where he serves as a trusted advisor to coaches and athletes. He has even gone so far as to attend basketball practices and personally mentor students and athletes, offering guidance over breakfast.

Shaw’s commitment to Carroll was recognized when he received the inaugural Distinguished Alumni PIOS Award for his support of Carroll’s student-athletes. A true advocate for the university, Shaw’s ongoing contributions have helped foster a strong sense of community and a culture of excellence at Carroll. Shaw’s legacy is a testament to the power leadership, service, kindness and deep commitment have in shaping Carroll and the world for the better.

See all the 2025 award recipients