Dr. Tom Hart is currently in his tenth year as the Commissioner of the USA South Athletic Conference after joining the Conference in June of 2016. During his first six years as Commissioner of the USA South, Hart led the successful transition of seven new institutions into the Conference making it the largest single NCAA conference. During the spring of 2021, the USA South was one of five NCAA Division III conferences to award championships in each of its 18 sponsored sports while navigating the COVID landscape. This past year, Hart helped guide the USA South through a collegial restructuring which allowed eight members to find a more conducive situation within a new Conference. In addition, under Hart’s leadership, the conference office has enhanced communication with its membership, provided opportunities for student-athletes to attend the NCAA Convention, and completed two Conference-wide salary surveys. Hart also teaches part-time in the Sports Management Department of Abilene Christian University.
Prior to the USA South, Hart spent most of his time as a Director of Athletics at two Division III institutions and brings 27 years of experience as a Division III Athletic Director and coach to the Commissioner position.
Dr. Hart spent 21 years at Webster University, an NCAA Division III institution in St. Louis. He served as Athletic Director for 19 years while also coaching men's basketball and men's golf. As a coach, Dr. Hart is one of only six individuals ever named SLIAC Coach of the Year in two separate sports (golf and basketball). Under his direction, Webster athletics moved from a department with 72 student athletes and eight sports to one with 220 student athletes and 16 sports. Student athletes at Webster also graduated at a rate 10% above the student body during Dr. Hart's tenure. Additionally, Dr. Hart twice served as President of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and chaired the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Committee. Finally, Dr. Hart is a member of Webster's 2019 Hall of Fame class.
In 2013, Dr. Hart joined Berry College in Rome, Georgia as the Director of Athletics. While at Berry, Dr. Hart assisted the Vikings into Division III membership and was engaged with several new program initiatives including the Berry Athletics Booster Club, the first two years of the football program, preparing to add a full track and field program and establishing the end of year student award ceremony.
A native of Utica, New York, Dr. Hart graduated from Niagara University in 1983 with a Bachelor's degree in physical education. Dr. Hart later earned his Master's degree in Psychology from United States International University (San Diego) in 1985. In 2013, Dr. Hart earned his Doctorate in Management from Webster University where his dissertation focused on factors of persistence for NCAA Division III student athletes. Dr. Hart and his wife Debbie reside in Rome, GA with their children Abby and Josh.
Phone: 888-318-1963 ext. 1 Email: thart@usasouth.net