STAFF During Hart’s last year at FSU, the Seminoles finished 15th in the Directors’ Cup, an all-time high for the institution at that time. Additionally, during Hart’s three years at Alabama, the Crimson Tide football team claimed the 2009 BCS National Championship and the individual athletic teams posted eight combined top-three finishes nationally from 2009-11. Hart has more than 25 years of service as a director of athletics. Highly respected as a visionary and industry leader, Hart’s career has featured service as the president of both the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and the Division IA Athletics Directors’ Association. A former recipient of the Robert R. Neyland Award honoring lifetime achievement, Hart has also been named by his colleagues as the Athletic Director of the Year for the Southeast Region in both 2000 and 2005, one of a few select individuals to receive the honor multiple times. During his 13 years at Florida State, Hart negotiated unprecedented, multi-million dollar contracts for the department totaling in excess of $175 million and devised and executed an extensive and comprehensive facilities master plan for athletics eclipsing the $150 million mark. Hart initiated a multi-faceted Student Development/Life Skills program for all student-athletes at FSU, an endeavor recognized nationally as a “Program of Excellence” by the Division I-A Athletics Directors’ Association. “Dave is as good an athletic director as there is in the country,” legendary Florida State Head Football Coach Bobby Bowden said. “He’s as sharp of an AD as I’ve been around in 57 years. He knows what’s important, and he’s a builder.” In recognizing Hart’s position within intercollegiate athletics, ACC Commissioner John Swofford said, “Dave Hart is one of the best and most respected athletics administrators in the business.
26
TENNESSEE SOFTBALL » 2016 MEDIA GUIDE
He thoroughly understands the nuances of major college athletics, and he has superb values to go along with his vast experience in the field. He is a proven leader at the conference and national levels.” While at FSU, Hart made many key hires, including the hiring of FSU’s first two African-American basketball coaches, including current men’s coach Leonard Hamilton, as well as their first AfricanAmerican senior-level administrator. He also placed a significant focus on the growth of women’s athletics at FSU, a commitment reflected in increased funding, competitive success and facility upgrades. Academic success also accompanied Hart’s time at FSU, as the school became home to the inaugural National Student-Athlete of the Year, a State of Florida Woman of the Year recipient, and two Rhodes Scholars. Hart has also earned the Athletics Directors’ Award for advancing the quality and progress of student-athletes and the athletics program while at Florida State. In 2008, he received the James J. Corbett Award, the highest honor bestowed by National Association of College Directors of Athletics. Hart served as Executive Director of Athletics at Alabama from August 2008 until accepting his leadership role with the Volunteers. A 1971 Alabama graduate, Hart played basketball for the Crimson Tide under legendary head coach C.M. Newton and earned a master’s degree from UA in 1972 while working as a graduate assistant basketball coach. Hart met his wife, the former Pam Humble, while at Alabama. The couple has three children: Rick, who serves currently as the athletic director at SMU, Jamie and Kelly. The Harts are the grandparents of five grandchildren: Trevor, Caroline, McKinley, Olivia and Kingsley.