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COLCHESTER, Vt. - Michael Harding, formerly the
Associate Head Coach at NCAA Division II Stonehill College, has
been named head coach of the Saint Michael’s College
men’s basketball program. The announcement was made today by
the College’s Director of Athletics, Geri
Knortz. Stonehill and Saint Michael’s are both
members of the highly-regarded Northeast-10 Conference, a 16-member
league considered by many to be the nation’s most competitive
and comprehensive Division II conference.
“I am thrilled to announce the hiring of Michael
Harding,” said Knortz. “Saint Michael’s College
is fortunate to have a strong and diverse talent pool to work with
in this search, and I am confident that the College has made an
excellent choice.
“Aside from the obvious on-court success at Stonehill, we are
also very impressed with Michael’s considerable skill set in
recruiting, communication, and fostering academic success,”
Knortz continued. “His professional philosophy is a great fit
for Saint Michael’s, and I have no doubt that his intellect,
enthusiasm, and work ethic will quickly become evident to our
campus, alumni, and greater Burlington communities.”
Harding completed his fifth season with the Stonehill
men’s basketball program last month, where he played a vital
role in another epic year for the Skyhawks. Stonehill spent the
season ranked as one of the nation’s top Division II
programs, winning the NE-10 regular season championship, and
hosting the NCAA Regional Tournament as the East region’s top
seed. At season’s end, Stonehill was 24-6 overall, and a
remarkable 20-2 in the NE-10.
Stonehill men’s basketball has enjoyed a remarkable run of
success with Harding on staff. Since his arrival in 2005, the
program has gone 106-47 overall, with two NE-10 Championships and
three NCAA Tournament appearances – including a National
Final Four berth in 2006.
As Associate Head Coach, Harding also served as Stonehill's
recruiting coordinator and travel coordinator, and developed season
strength and conditioning programs, in addition to his on-floor
coaching responsibilities.
Prior to his arrival at Stonehill, Harding was the assistant coach
at his alma mater, Bowdoin College (NCAA Division III), for the
2004-05 campaign. He spent his first year after graduation as a
teacher and assistant varsity basketball coach at the Landon
School, a prep high school located in Bethesda, Md.
Harding said, “I am thrilled to be named head men’s
basketball coach at Saint Michael’s College, and I would like
to thank President Jack Neuhauser, Athletics Director Geri
Knortz and the college’s administration for providing me with
this incredible opportunity. This is an exciting time to be
associated with the Saint Michael’s athletics program, and I
hope to be able to build a program at Saint Michael’s that
the college, alumni, and community can be proud of.”
Harding earned a bachelor’s degree in Government and Legal
Studies from Bowdoin in 2003. He was a four-year member of the
men’s basketball team, and captained the Polar Bears as a
senior. Harding was the recipient of the Sarah and James Bowdoin
Scholar Award for academic excellence, as well as being selected as
the Lenox Foundation Book Award honoree for his exemplary
scholarship. He also earned the Hixon Memorial Leadership Prize in
his senior year. He went on to earn a master's degree in education
from Tufts University in 2007.
Saint Michael’s will host a Media Reception on Tuesday
afternoon, April 20, 2010, at 4:30 p.m. in the College’s
Pomerleau Alumni Center. In addition to Coach Harding, there will
also be members of the men’s basketball team, faculty, staff,
and administration in attendance and available for comment.
TRANSACTION: Saint Michael’s – Named Michael Harding men’s basketball coach.
