Hart steps down as Lancers men’s soccer coach

The University of Windsor is searching for a new head coach for the Lancers men’s soccer team after Steve Hart’s decision to step aside after 10 seasons.

Hart will maintain his role as head coach of the women’s team and continue to serve as director of soccer operations for both the men’s and women’s teams.

“It just gives me a chance to get a life,” Hart said of the decision. “It’s hard to run both programs on a part-time basis.

“I’ll still be doing the recruiting and the running of both teams, it’s just the on-field coaching. I can afford the time to run both teams, but it’s difficult to coach both teams.”

Lancers athletic director Mike Havey has already posted the position with the closing date for applicants set for March 6. The position is considered part time by the school and comes with a renewable one-year contract.

“I wish we were in position to (make it a full-time position),” Havey said. “As such, we’re looking for the best qualified local candidate we can get.”

Hart had the men’s team ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation two yeas ago and guided the women’s team to its first conference final four appearance in school history.

“The success of the program is there and I want it to continue,” said Hart, who is also the technical director for the LaSalle Stompers program. “I want the best for the program.”

However, Hart said he will not have any part in the hiring of the new head coach, but does have some advice for anyone seeking the job.

“One of the biggest aspects for anyone taking the job is it can’t just be about being head coach of Windsor,” Hart said. “You have to be prepared for the time commitment to basically give your life away during the season.”

ATHLETICS CANADA COACHES

Three members of the University of Windsor Lancers track and field coaching staff have been handed summer posts by Athletics Canada.

Kurt Downes, who serves as hurdles coach with the Lancers, has been named to Canada’s staff for the IAAF world track and field championships, which are set for Aug. 5-17 in London, England.

Lancers associate head coach Brett Lumley has been named to Canada’s staff for the Francophone Games, which are set for July 21-30 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Kevin DiNardo, who is serving as coordinator of field events for the Lancers, will serve on the Canadian staff for the U20 Pan American Junior Games, which are tentatively set for July 21-23 in Lima, Peru.

All three coaches are also former Lancer athletes as well as Joel Skinner, who will join DiNardo on the Pan American Junior Games staff.

WINDSOR STAG ELITE

The Windsor Stag Elite Spartans won the MVP Classic Grand Rapids Basketball Tournament for the second straight year.

The club, which is a division one team of Grade 9 boys, went 5-0 in the tournament and won each game by at least 15 points.