Tom Hart, who spent the last 19 years as Webster University’s director of athletics, has accepted a position as director of athletics at Berry College (Ga.). Webster’s department of athletics announced the move the afternoon of Tuesday, July 9.
Hart came to Webster in 1991 as an assistant men’s basketball coach and was named the team’s head coach the following year. In 1994, Hart was named Webster’s director of athletics.
Hart later started and coached Webster’s golf program. He is one of only six individuals to be named a St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in two different sports (basketball and golf).
When Hart took over as director of athletics in ’94, Webster athletics was comprised of 72 student athletes and eight sports. As Hart departs for Berry, Webster athletics is now comprised of 220 student athletes and 14 sports.
During Hart’s tenure as director of athletics, Webster’s teams have won 52 SLIAC championships and qualified for 49 NCAA Division III tournaments. Webster has captured the SLIAC All-Sports Award 13 of the past 15 years.
“I am proud to have worked with the passionate and committed student athletes, coaches and staff at Webster and, as an interested alumnus, will keep an eye on their future accomplishments,” Hart said in a Webster department of athletics press release.
Hart, a native of Utica, N.Y., will leave Webster for the director of athletics position at Berry, a Division-III college located in northwestern Georgia. Berry’s athletics department is comprised of 21 sports – including football.
Berry will become a full D-III member in the 2013-14 academic year. Berry was previously a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Berry Vikings are a member of the Southern Athletic Association.
“I am extremely excited to arrive on campus, roll up my sleeves and begin working with the coaches and staff at Berry College,” Hart said in a story posted on Berry’s athletics site. “From the moment my family and I visited the campus, we knew it was a special place.
“With the introduction of football and full membership in Division III, there are all sorts of new challenges and opportunities, which provide for a vibrant work environment.”
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