DP Harris named Saint Vincent College’s director of athletics

by Public Relations | July 31, 2024

LATROBE, PA - Don Paul "DP" Harris, C'13, today was named director of athletics for Saint Vincent College after filling the role in an interim capacity the past 12 months. The announcement was made by Fr. Paul Taylor, O.S.B., C'87, S'91, president of the College.

Harris, 53, is a Saint Vincent College Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and two-time Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) men's basketball coach of the year. In addition to overseeing the College's 23 NCAA Division III varsity teams, Harris will remain head coach of the men's basketball team.

"I started out at Saint Vincent as a volunteer coach and occasional popcorn popper [at home games]," Harris said. "I have a simple philosophy. I am here to serve our student-athletes and work closely with our coaches and alumni to give our student-athletes and every young person who walks onto campus a true Bearcats experience."

Harris noted he was mentored by two legends of Saint Vincent athletics, Oland "Dodo" Canterna, H'74, and Fr. Myron Kirsch, O.S.B., C'69, S'73. Canterna coached the basketball and baseball teams and was director of athletics. Fr. Myron served as director of athletics for more than four decades until his retirement in April 2023.

"Appointing DP Harris to the role of director of athletics is a pivotal decision for Saint Vincent," Father Paul said. "He has proven and substantial skills as a coach, mentor and administrator. We look forward to the athletics program's continued growth and success in alignment with sportsmanship, excellence and our Benedictine values under his leadership."

During Harris' tenure as interim director of athletics, the department experienced a period of progress and accomplishment-on the fields and courts and in the classroom-with an emphasis on fundraising and infrastructure and technology improvements.

"As interim director of athletics, DP Harris steered our athletics department forward, especially with short-term initiatives such as establishing branding guidelines and enhancing the visibility of the department's efforts internally and externally," said Dr. Jeff Mallory, C'06, G'13, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Saint Vincent College. "DP's ability to connect with our community is vital. He is focused on keeping Saint Vincent on the cutting-edge in terms of providing the best experience for our student-athletes."

The athletics program reached new heights during Harris's term as interim director of athletics. The men's cross country team captured its ninth PAC team championship. Tim Patterson, C'24, placed third at the conference meet and became the first male SVC runner to compete in the NCAA Division III Championships in 10 years. The wrestling team, back in action after a 50-year hiatus, won the PAC team title, boasted the conference's newcomer of the year (165-pounder Chase Brandebura) and coach of the year (Dom Nania), and sent two wrestlers to the NCAA Division III Southeast Regional Championships.

The women's soccer team produced its best season (10-4-4 overall, 6-2-2 PAC) in more than 15 years and hosted a conference playoff game for the first time in program history. The men's basketball team went 23-5 overall, including a program-best 17-game winning streak, reached the PAC title game and was selected for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournament.

The men's volleyball team (19-9 overall, 9-0 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference) had its best season in program history and made its first-ever berths in the AMCC championship and ECAC playoffs. The women's bowling team posted the highest winning percentage (.821) among all NCAA classifications and finished the season ranked No. 9 in the National Tenpin Coaches Association Division II/III poll and No. 25 in the all-division national poll.

In the fall, 63 Saint Vincent student-athletes were named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll. This past spring, 113 Bearcats were honored-a school record and the most among all PAC institutions. College Sports Communicators lauded 17 Saint Vincent student-athletes with Academic All-District status, the most in a single year in school history.

A strong round of fundraising set the table for significant improvements to athletics facilities. Chief among them is the Dunlap Family Athletic and Recreation Center, a $22 million multipurpose building that is expected to be completed in November 2025. The 76,000-square-foot structure will have indoor practice space, including a turf field, batting cages and a multi-sport court; a fitness center and exercise rooms; office space; and a café.

Last fall, a lighting system was installed at UPMC Field, which enabled the soccer and lacrosse teams to host night games for the first time. A revamped infield and outfield warning track were installed at the baseball field. The gymnasium at the Robert S. Carey Student Center got a fresh coat of paint and new bleachers in the reserved and student seating sections.

The athletics office in the Carey Center underwent a branding enhancement, highlighted by the installation of a permanent display recognizing the College's Athletics Hall of Fame inductees.

Harris made enhancements in the athletics communication office, adding staff and resources for social media and video production. Gameday management was overhauled to ensure first-class hospitality and a seamless experience for visiting teams, fans and officials.

"We've made great strides in the past year," Harris said. "Our social media and technology have taken a step forward, and the cooperation from our coaches and student-athletes has been excellent."

Harris began his career at Saint Vincent in 1995 as an assistant men's basketball coach and was elevated to associate head coach in 2001. During his time as an assistant/associate coach, the Bearcats were perennially ranked in the NAIA top 25 and made four trips to the NAIA national tournament, including Elite Eight appearances in 1998 and 2002.

In 2003, Harris became head coach and led Saint Vincent to the American Mideast Conference title and the NAIA tournament's Sweet Sixteen. From 2019 to 2021, Harris was head men's basketball coach and associate director of athletics at Saint Thomas University in Miami. He began his second stint as Saint Vincent's head coach at the outset of the 2022-23 season.

Over 20 seasons as a head coach, Harris has produced a 392-159 record-his .706 winning percentage ranks 12th among active NCAA Division III coaches-and has collected a dozen 20-win seasons.

A native of Wheeling, WV, Harris earned a bachelor's degree in communication from Saint Vincent College and a master's degree in sports management from Saint Thomas University.

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