SMU's New Athletic Director

50's PONY · Post by **50's PONY** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 4:35 pm

UTC athletic director Rick Hart heading to SMU

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga athletic director Rick Hart has agreed to take over as the AD at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.

Hart was hired at UTC on May 23, 2006 after seven years working in the athletic department at Oklahoma. He is the son of Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart.

RGV Pony · Post by **RGV Pony** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 4:38 pm

Welcome hitman

NavyCrimson · Post by **NavyCrimson** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 4:47 pm

Interesting:

http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/19021968/ut ... or-new-job

http://www.gomocs.com/ViewArticle.dbml? ... ID=1146506

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012 ... y-heading/

http://timesfreepress.com/news/2012/mar ... es-figure/

http://twitter.com/ad_rickhart

gostangs · Post by **gostangs** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 4:48 pm

Ties to sec and big 12. Good pedigree. He'll be able to get answers to any question that is important from pops or one of pops friends. Southern (yes - that is a very good thing). Feels like what you would think. I like what I see for now.

SMU 86 · Post by **SMU 86** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:08 pm

Well since he worked at the athletic department at OU he should know how to get certain things done. :wink:

mpony · Post by **mpony** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:21 pm

I like this part:

Hart arrived on the UTC campus after serving seven years at the University of Oklahoma in various athletics administrative capacities. Hart's career with the Sooners began in 1999 as the Director of Marketing and Licensing. He became Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing and Licensing in 2001, and developed and implemented marketing campaigns which generated annual ticket revenues in excess of $19.5 million. Hart was promoted to Associate Athletics Director for Program Advancement and Branding in 2003 and Senior Associate Athletics Director in 2006.

BIGHORSE · Post by **BIGHORSE** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:24 pm

He needs to hit the ground running!!!

Mustang75 · Post by **Mustang75** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:31 pm

Excellent pedigree

MustangSTATS · Post by **MustangSTATS** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:42 pm

Interested to see what he plans to do marketing wise in a heavily saturated urban environment. This isn't Norman or Chattanooga.

Noticed no names leaked during this search, I wonder why :lol:

smubrooks · Post by **smubrooks** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:23 pm

Good experience, connections, etc. Really love the marketing/ticket sale exp! Excited to see what he can do for us!

Corso · Post by **Corso** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:26 pm

Welcome to the Hilltop, Rick!

bubba pony · Post by **bubba pony** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 7:29 pm

big step up for him.

first thing is allow in/out at SMU football games.

RyanSMU98 · Post by **RyanSMU98** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 7:35 pm

bubba pony wrote:first thing is allow in/out at SMU football games.

No, first thing is to make sure people know there ARE football games at SMU. Then he can work on improving the access/experience issues like in/out priveleges, beer sales, etc.

S....M....U · Post by **S....M....U** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 7:57 pm

Looks like a solid hire with that marketing and licensing background.... Branding baby branding

BigT3x · Post by **BigT3x** » Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:30 pm

RyanSMU98 wrote:
bubba pony wrote:first thing is allow in/out at SMU football games.

No, first thing is to make sure people know there ARE football games at SMU. Then he can work on improving the access/experience issues like in/out priveleges, beer sales, etc.

Marketing the team is a long, complex process.

Allowing reentry is a process that involves taking down a few signs.