Sharon Beverly, PhD, a nationally recognized leader in higher education, has been named acting vice president of athletics and recreation at the University of Hartford. This newly defined interim position combines the leadership responsibilities of our Director of Athletics with those of recreational health and fitness, intramurals, and club sports.
Beverly comes to Hartford with more than 30 years of higher education leadership experience in academic affairs, student affairs, and athletics at both private and public institutions. She enjoyed a successful 20-year career as a head women’s basketball coach at three different institutions, including 11 seasons at NCAA Division I-member Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she was inducted into the school’s athletics hall of fame.
From 2002 to 2014, Beverly served as the director of athletics and physical education at Vassar College, where she also chaired the school’s physical education department and was a tenured faculty member. Following her term at Vassar, she filled dual roles as assistant vice president for student affairs and executive director of athletics and recreation at the College of New Jersey. Since 2013, Beverly has held a variety of teaching roles at Concordia University of Chicago, Rutgers University, and Immaculata University. Most recently, she served as the interim director of athletics at Guilford College in North Carolina.
Sharon Beverly, Acting Vice President of Athletics and RecreationI’m excited to join a great team at the University of Hartford. The Hawks have the capacity to continue building upon the great success of their programs and student-athletes. There are numerous opportunities ahead as we begin preparing for a transition to a Division III model. I am confident we will make great strides in the months ahead as we work towards continuing a goal of excellence for our coaches, staff, and programs.
Named one of the “30 Leading Women in Higher Education” by Diverse magazine, Beverly received bachelor's and master’s degrees from Queens (N.Y.) College and earned her PhD with a specialization in Leadership for Higher Education from Capella University. She also played professional basketball in France after her undergraduate athletic career.
Frequently sought out for her insights, vision, and strategic approach, Beverly is a past president of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association, which promotes generating a sports culture that supports the values necessary to teach and learn respect for all. She has also chaired several NCAA committees, including the prestigious Woman of the Year Award.
“Dr. Beverly is the perfect individual to lead us through the next steps in building upon our foundation and positioning our athletics program for success in the future,” UHart President Gregory Woodward says. “Her depth of experience in all aspects of NCAA athletics, her passion for the student-athlete experience, and her accessible leadership approach will tremendously benefit our coaches, staff, and students.”
Beverly will oversee all athletic teams and programs, in addition to working closely with the dean of students on partnership and oversight for intramural and club activities. She will also provide leadership and guidance on NCAA needs and expectations, conference representation, and search opportunities and timelines. She looks forward to building collaborative relationships with the entire UHart community, including alumni, donors, and friends.
Beverly’s appointment begins immediately to allow for a smooth and lengthy transition period. Vice President, General Counsel, and Interim Director of Athletics Maria Feeley, who has served in the position since September 2019, has accepted a new position at her law school alma mater, Washington and Lee, and will leave UHart in early August. Beverly will remain in the acting role this academic year until a longer-term strategy and search plan have been established with input and collaboration across the University’s constituencies.