La Salle University Senior Mike Dao Wins Contest for Best Collegiate Sports Photo without Knowing He Was Nominated

“I had no idea it was even submitted,” said La Salle University senior Mike Dao, upon learning a photo he took for the University’s student newspaper was judged the best in a category for college newspapers by the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association. The Atlantic City native’s photo from a La Salle football game last year took top place in sports photography. 

Dao, who graduated from Atlantic City High School, will be honored at an awards luncheon at the America East Newspaper Operations and Technology conference to be held at in Hershey, Pa.  

“You can't have a newspaper without strong photography, and Mike has helped elevate the quality of Collegian's photos, and we're so happy he was cited for his hard work,” says Erin Brodbeck, the editor of the Collegian, who, along with two other editors, submitted Dao’s photo for the award.  

“My initial reaction was something along the lines of "huh?" and "for what?" said Dao. After getting over the initial shock, he said, “It felt very good knowing that my work was recognized. I was proud of my work. I was also very thankful that my editors submitted it for me.” 

Not only was he surprised by the award, Dao never expected to be a photographer. 

“Originally, I bought a camera so I could take pictures of friends and stuff, and I got caught up in it,” Dao says. He was introduced to a more professional style of photography when a friend and Collegian staff member asked him if he would be interested in taking photos for the newspaper.  

After two years at the Collegian and help from Greg Carroccio, a sports photographer for La Salle’s Athletic Department, Dao said he has become a much better photographer. “When I started, I had no idea what I was doing,” Dao said. “If I were to sum up how I got better, it would be talking to Greg and experimenting.” 

“A lot of people remember me for running up and down the sidelines,” said Dao about photographing La Salle’s football season. Because his camera was limited in its range, Dao had to sprint back and forth along the sidelines to follow the action and snap pictures. 

Although he did gain the respect and even some cheers at football games from the fans for his sideline efforts, Dao said he likes photographing basketball the most.

“There are so many opportunities to catch great action shots and photos with lots of emotions,” said Dao. “I love catching the important, game-altering plays, such as Darnell Harris' game-winning three-pointer against Dayton. I know most of the basketball players, so this is my way of supporting them, by portraying them at their best in the Collegian and Explorer Yearbook. There are also opportunities to catch enthusiastic fans, such as the Explorer Entourage. Overall, I think it is the excitement that is La Salle basketball.” 

A chemistry and biochemistry double-major, Dao is planning on earning a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry, and has been admitted into doctoral programs at Rutgers, the University of Delaware, and Penn State. He hopes to teach at the college level, but he does not plan on leaving photography behind. Dao photographs some of his lab experiments with metals. He explained that the reactions that take place in the experiments create colorful crystals which he photographs for fun.  

Last fall, Dao and Michael Prushan, an chemistry professor at La Salle, presented a research poster at the 10th Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in the Chemical and Biological Sciences. Dao won second place for his work.  

-- Jennifer Portante