Alumni Spotlight: Dave Lange

Dave Lange, left, with Ty Keough, former U.S. Men's National Team player and professional player with the St. Louis Steamers

Over the past 110 years, more than 200,000 individuals have graduated from Webster University around the world.

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Meet Dave Lange, who earned a Master of Arts in Business and Communications from Webster in 1991. He is a senior lecturer at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and is also an author of books on St. Louis soccer history, including “St. Louis Soccer: An Illustrated Timeline.”

Dave’s connection to Webster extends beyond his own education. His wife, Janet, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Webster in 1980. Dave also served as an adjunct professor in Webster’s School of Communications from 2009 until about 2022.

What enticed you to choose Webster for your degree?

Availability of night classes in master's degree programs at a convenient location, ideal for me as I was working full-time at General Dynamics Corporation, then headquartered in Clayton. This was at a time when there were no online classes.

What stood out about your studies at Webster?

Excellent teachers in the business and communications graduate degree programs. The final paper due in each program was challenging but extremely educational in terms of learning. My paper was on starting a daily newspaper in St. Louis, so I learned a tremendous amount about the business side of newspapers.

How did your Webster degree help advance you in your career?

It was key in being hired to work in corporate communications at Anheuser-Busch in 1992. It was noted during job interviews that all the members in the corporate communications department had master's degrees. Having obtained mine from Webster in 1991 was important in landing the job at A-B. I was hired to start a monthly magazine for the St. Louis Cardinals, which was owned by A-B at the time. The publication continues today as the Cardinals Gameday Magazine.

What is something valuable you have learned during your career?

The importance of observing deadlines, which are critical in the news media and in business, as well as the importance of managing a sizable budget. My responsibilities at Anheuser-Busch included producing internal and external publications, including the annual report, as well as researching and writing books on St. Louis soccer history for Reedy Press of St. Louis.

I also gained invaluable experience in managing employees when I was a senior manager in corporate communications at Anheuser-Busch.

What advice would you give to others who are considering Webster for their degree?

Webster University offers wonderful opportunities that make studying there a unique experience. These opportunities include studying abroad, first-class facilities at the St. Louis campus, a wide range of courses and online and in-person classes.

What has your life journey looked like?

I grew up in St. Louis, primarily in Kirkwood. I live in Kirkwood now. Past residences include Affton and Lake St. Louis. My wife, Janet, spent a long career at Nestle Purina in St. Louis. My full-time employers include the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, McDonnell Douglas, General Dynamics and Anheuser-Busch.

Since retiring from Anheuser-Busch in 2008, I became an adjunct instructor at Webster and the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). I still teach at UMSL, primarily an undergraduate online class in crisis communications management. I also began writing books for Reedy Press in St. Louis. My website lists my books on St. Louis soccer history.

I serve on the Board of Directors for the Society for American Soccer History and often handle local, national and international media requests for interviews on St. Louis soccer history. I did an interview with St. Louis CITY Soccer Club on the St. Louis connection to the U.S. 1950 World Cup team that defeated England, 1-0, perhaps the biggest upset in World Cup history.

How do you spend your free time?

Writing and researching books and articles on St. Louis soccer history; reading histories, primarily on World War II; building scale models; model railroading. I also served as a head coach at Busch Soccer Club (today's St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club) from 1997-2008.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I was inducted into Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2024. I also hold a national "D" coaching license from the U.S. Soccer Federation and a coaching certificate from the KNVB, which is the Royal Dutch Football Association.