From Bench to Desk
Harnum named new AD

By Mike Caputo

After several months of searching the nation, Rider found the solution to its athletic director (AD) question was already in its own backyard.

Don Harnum, who took over the interim AD position when Curt Blake stepped aside in August, was named permanently to the position on March 20. From 1997 to 2005, Harnum was head coach of the men’s basketball team.

“Don impressed us with his leadership qualities and vision for the future of athletics at Rider,” said President Mordechai Rozanski. “His vision is based on a thorough understanding of Rider’s Strategic Plan and his knowledge of the athletics program and the institution as a whole.”

The announcement signals the end of Harnum’s coaching career and leaves open the position of head basketball coach next year. Interim coach Tommy Dempsey is a candidate for the job, but a national search is a possibility.

Harnum’s term at Rider dates back to his assistant coaching with then-men’s basketball coach Kevin Bannon in the late 1980s and 1990s. After rising to head coach and guiding his team to its first-ever MAAC Championship game and its second MAAC Regular Season Championship in the 2004-2005 season, Harnum took on what seemed to be a temporary role as interim AD.

Harnum said he originally intended to return to the coaching position when his time in the AD office was up, but several factors had an effect on his decision.

“I really did have every intent on going back to coaching after the year,” said Harnum. “I think this is a great opportunity that probably won’t come around all that often. I owed it to myself and to my family to really explore it. I think this is a good career move and I am really excited with what is going on at Rider.”

One of the projects going on at Rider that intrigued Harnum throughout the interviewing process was Phase III, which includes a new arena on the Lawrenceville campus. According to Harnum, the arena project is entirely donor-driven, and he is eager to be an integral part of the process.

“I look forward to being involved with some of that fund raising, whether it means going to meet potential donors or key alumni,” said Harnum. “Anything to help general university recruiting also helps athletic recruiting. I think we have been put in a better position over the last year just because the overall quality of student life has improved with some of the decisions that have been made.”

Rozanski expressed his confidence in Harnum’s abilities to be a major component in raising enough money for the Phase III project.

“Don’s years of experience at Rider, especially his relationship with our alumni and friends of athletics, will help not only in the fund raising required to make the new arena (Phase III) a reality, but in addressing many of our other athletics facilities’ needs,” said Rozanski.

“Developing a strategic plan for the department will also be helpful in this regard. I am confident that Don will provide the leadership needed to develop and implement a plan that will take our athletics program to the next level of excellence.”

Although the Phase III plans will be a major focus during Harnum’s tenure, he acknowledged the short-term issues he must deal with immediately, most importantly the stability of the men’s basketball program. In the offseason, when recruiting is of the essence, Harnum must solidify the coaching position.

“I think it has put us behind in recruiting for the rest of this year and that’s why my goal is to get the situation straightened as quickly as possible so we can go and recruit,” Harnum said.“You have to have a head coach in place before you can get kids to sign on with you.”

Dempsey, who struggled in his first year with the youthful squad, finishing with an 8-20 overall record, did land one major recruit last fall, Ryan Thompson of Mount Laurel, N.J. He is the brother of sophomore star Jason Thompson.

Harnum said that the basketball program has been known for its consistency over the years, which was reflected in long coaching tenures and strong graduation rates.

Harnum’s 16 years of Rider experience helped him rise to the top of a national crop of candidates, said Debbie Stassola, associate vice president of planning and chair of the search committee.

“I think it was the degree to which he was able to effectively communicate his vision for athletics within the context of Rider’s vision,” said Stassola. “One that was extremely helpful for him going into the full-day interview process was his performance during the interim period.”

Harnum said that the interim period at Rider helped him learn the position, which made his decision significantly easier.

“The interim part of the position for seven months, although awkward at times, probably was a good thing for me,” Harnum said. “It gave me a chance to look at it and see if I could make the transition and see if I’d be happy doing this.”

Leaving the bench to sit at a desk may not be an easy transition for Harnum, but he promised he would take the competitive fire utilized during his basketball seasons and apply it to his new job.

“I am totally aware that this won’t be the same,” he said. “I still need that challenge and I still need that competitiveness. The way I look at it is that I now have 20 teams instead of one.”