Washington & Jefferson College Athletics

David Ross ’78 is inducted into the Washington & Jefferson College Athletic Hall of Fame as the 2008 Robert M. Murphy Award Winner. Ross was a talented two-sport athlete for Washington & Jefferson College. He was a four-year letter winner for the Presidents’ football team, while also lettering for the baseball program. In 1978, Ross was chosen as an All-PAC wide receiver after catching 26 passes for 322 yards (12.4 ypr) and four touchdowns. Ross was part of an offense that was led by W&J Athletic Hall of Fame quarterback J.C. Morrow.

Following his senior season, Ross was one of two Presidents selected to the First Team All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference squad, joining Ted Cuneo. Ross is a member of the board of trustees at Washington & Jefferson College. He has been very successful following his graduation as a political science major. Ross also earned a master’s degree in city planning from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton Business School.

Ross is a founding partner of Atlantic Realty Companies, one of the ten largest commercial real estate development forms in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. An expert in land use, development, and leasing, Mr. Ross has over 20 years experience in the commercial real estate business and has been responsible for the development of over eight million square feet of commercial and retail property throughout the Washington metropolitan area. In addition to his founding role in Atlantic Realty, he maintains a very active presence in the community and local organizations.

Ross, whose son, Jonathan, is a 2006 W&J graduate, also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Capital Region of the Easter Seal Society, was past chairman and in January 2005 was honored with The Clarence Donohoe Award presented annually to an Easter Seals Board Member who exemplifies excellence in leadership and volunteerism. He is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and the Northern Virginia chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP), and the Reston Chamber of Commerce.

He has also served on many board of directors and advisory boards in the Washington DC area. Ross and his family were instrumental in the creation of the Presidents’ multi-sport athletic facility (Ross Memorial Park and Alexandre Stadium) and the Ross Locker Rooms. The state-of-the-art stadiums and locker room facilities serve as the official home for W&J baseball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s lacrosse and women’s lacrosse. Ross dedicated the facilities in honor of his father, James David Ross.