Upcoming Event: Track & Field versus Duke Invitational on April 8, 2026










4/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
DURHAM, N.C. ? GoDuke.com recently sat down with javelin thrower Mark DellaVolpe for his senior profile. DellaVolpe discusses his favorite books, his pre-meet rituals, his dream job, plus much more.
GoDuke.com: What is your nickname?
Mark DellaVolpe: Boom Boom.
GD: Who is your favorite professional player in your sport?
MD: My favorite male javelin thrower is Breaux Greer and my favorite female is either Kim Mildiva or Lauren James. Not only are all of them great at what they do but they all have a swagger that makes them fun to watch.
GD: Who is your favorite professional player not in your sport?
MD: I like Tom Brady and Gabe Kapler. Brady is an amazing athlete and a lot of fun to watch, whether or not you like the Patriots.
GD: What's your favorite book?
MD: Frecklejuice, 13 Ways to Sink a Sub, or anything by Judy Bloom
GD: Who's your favorite musical artist?
MD: I like the old stuff that I grew up listening to around my grandmother's house like Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Mystikal.
GD: What's your favorite food?
MD: McDonald's.
GD: Do you have any pre-meet rituals?
MD: I usually throw a football around to warm up and get my mind off the event until right before I throw. Then, I like get myself just nervous enough that my palms sweat because it's the perfect grip for the javelin.
GD: If you could have dinner with anybody related to Duke (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
MD: If we were to follow form for my social life while here at Duke, I would invite four people over and no one would show up. Table for one please.
GD: What are you planning on doing after graduation?
MD: I don't know. Maybe we'll go out to dinner but probably I'll just pack up my dorm room really quickly so that my dad can beat the traffic.
GD: Who's had the most impact on your life and why?
MD: Definitely the ladies in my life. My mother and grandmother who both taught me to always think positively and my sister, who raised me.
GD: Who's had the most impact on your athletic career and why?
MD: My Dad. He is the one that taught me how to throw.
GD: What is your dream job?
MD: My dream job would be a Navy SEAL. However, being a thrower on the track team I don't quite have the endurance.
GD: What's your favorite part of practice and why?
MD: I really enjoy spending time with the other javelin throwers. I can honestly say that I always enjoy practice.
GD: What game is in your gaming system right now?
MD: My mom never let me have a Nintendo. Not knowing how to play video games made making friends very difficult freshman year.