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Hart Proud FSU Achieved Many Athletic Goals

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 31, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Inside the cover of his daily planner, outgoing Florida State athletic director Dave Hart has a doctrine taped above his business card that he has followed since the early days of his career.

It reads: 'Tell me I forget. Show me I remember. Involve me I understand.'

The simple maxim directed Hart during his 13 years as head of FSU's athletic department, a period of growth highlighted by drastic upgrades in the school's athletic facilities, an explosion of financial support from boosters and alumni, and a renewed commitment to Olympic and women's sports.

Hart also worked closely with the Atlantic Coast Conference to boost the ACC's profile in the state of Florida, helping Tampa land the 2007 ACC men's basketball tournament and Jacksonville the ACC football championship.

Since finalizing details of a 'separation agreement' last week with FSU president T.K. Wetherell, Hart has been busy preparing to start a transition phase in his personal and professional lives. He is scheduled to meet with interim AD Bill Proctor on Monday and expects his role in the transition period to be completed by the end of November.

On Tuesday in his office attached to Doak Campbell Stadium, Hart reflected on his time as FSU's athletic director, a period he tried to make good use of his personal credo.

'I didn't achieve anything,' he said. 'We achieved a lot. And there are a lot of people involved in that 'we.' It takes everybody to try to achieve goals that you set. And I think we did achieve a lot of goals.'

What was your plan when you took the job in 1995?

Our vision was to establish a program that could pursue comprehensive excellence in all sports, within the conference and nationally. And certainly, we've come a long way in that respect. It was also to build a master facilities plan that gave our coaches and student-athletes the best chance to compete across the board.

Is it fair that regardless of the success of the other sports, the perception of the football program often determines an athletic department's success or failure?

I don't think it's unfair at all. It's fitting, quite honestly. I know people don't like this terminology, but we really are a business. We are a self-supporting entity financially, and the engine to that train is football. Football is the primary window by which people view you. That's just the reality.

What's your relationship with football coach Bobby Bowden?

One thing about Bobby Bowden, he didn't always agree with what I said or maybe my view ... but at the end of the day when the conversation ended, he moved on in a supportive way. You're talking about a guy - and he never views himself this way - but we know he is an icon. For a person in that position to be as open-minded as he was during my 13 years here, and understand the bigger picture as he did, and move along with decisions that he personally didn't feel great about, says a lot about him as a person.

Will another football program ever have an extended period of success like FSU in the late 1980s and 1990s?

Parity is real. It used to be a buzz word that didn't have a lot of substance to it. But now it is. We were privileged enough to live a dynasty. Can we return to the top of the football pyramid? We can and we will. But those days of domination by one team for a period of over 10 years, those days are gone.

You've stated several times your goal was to finish your career here, so what's next?

That was our plan. That's not going to happen. That's off the table. You need now to turn your attention to the rest of your life. I don't know what those opportunities will be. I think I need to take some time. It's been a tough road.

Why not wait around until the end of your original

contract?

I care so much about the university. It was best for all parties concerned to separate now.

In many situations like this, people go play golf until their contract runs out. What about you?

That's not me. That's not who I am. As long as I'm in this job, I will do the job that our alumni and fans expect to be done.

FSU SHORTS

HONOR ROLL: The women's cross country team, led by individual champion Susan Kuijken, captured FSU's first ACC cross country title in school history during the weekend. The Noles defeated defending champion N.C. State by 38 points.

SOUNDBITE CENTRAL: 'That's one of the greatest two minutes that I've seen a quarterback play in a long time.' - QB Drew Weatherford on the late comeback at Virginia Tech engineered by Boston College QB Matt Ryan, who faces Weatherford and the Noles on Saturday.

LOOK OUT FOR: The men's basketball team, coming off a 22-13 season, hosts West Florida tonight in its first exhibition game of the season at the Donald L. Tucker Center.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: At this point in his career, should QB Xavier Lee continue at FSU, or transfer to a smaller school for his final seasons? To vote or monitor results, visit TBO.com, keyword: Noles.

TBO.COM POLL: How would you rate the performance of FSU's revamped offensive coaching staff? Above average (9.5 percent); average (42.3 percent); poor (35.7 percent); unacceptable (12.5 percent).

BLOG BONUS: I was flipping through the latest issue of Sports Illustrated this week and saw a former FSU player I didn't expect to see - at least not in his current position. For more, visit TBO.com, Keyword: Noles.

Scott Carter

Keyword: Noles for more of Scott Carter's conversation with outgoing Florida State athletic director Dave Hart.

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