Dave was a quality righthanded pitcher and first baseman who played in the farm system of the St. Louis Cardinals with Class A Erie and Savannah. He also pitched one season for the Sumter Braves in the Atlanta Braves’ system. In college, he pitched three seasons for the McKendree College Bearcats, where was named MVP of the Bearcats’ national championship team in 1984. He was 10-for-19 in the tournament, for a .527 average and blasted a home run in the championship game. Dillenberger also pitched and won two games. He was recognized as the Offensive player of the year in 1984. In the 1980s, Dillenberger pitched eight seasons for the Waterloo Buds in the Mon-Clair League, winning the league ERA title in 1983. Starting in 2008, he coached baseball at Waterloo High School for five seasons. In 2011, his team finished third in the Illinois state tournament. He also coached the Waterloo SLABA and American Bulldogs baseball teams, and coached and sponsored the Waterloo American Fireballs. In 1989 and 1990, he coached the Waterloo Junior American Legion baseball team. Dillenberger was a star pitcher for Waterloo High School in the late 1970s and early 1980s.