Courtesy: Hartford Sports Information
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. ? Men’s basketball head coach Dan Leibovitz has signed a two-year contract extension to remain at the University of Hartford through the 2013-14 season, as announced by Director of Athletics and Special Assistant to the President Pat Meiser on April 23.
Leibovitz has completed two years of his original six-year deal. Terms of the extension are undisclosed.
“Dan has done an excellent job with the basketball program in a very short period of time, instilling a sense of pride and a winning attitude in our student-athletes, campus community and alumni,” said University of Hartford President Walter Harrison. “We are committed to competing at a high level in men’s basketball, and retaining a coach of Dan’s caliber is crucial.”
Leibovitz led Hartford to an 18-16 overall mark in 2007-08, its first winning season in five years and the most wins since joining the Division I ranks in 1984. The Hawks also tied for second in the America East Conference with a 10-6 record?their best conference regular season finish ever?and advanced to the conference tournament title game for the first time in school history.
The outlook for the 2008-09 season is also bright, as Leibovitz returns the core of his team?10 letterwinners and all five starters?for his third season in West Hartford. The group accounted for 75 percent of the team’s offense and includes four of the top five scorers from this past season.
“Under the leadership of Dan Leibovitz, Hartford men’s basketball has a chance to experience more success than it ever has in its Division I history,” said Meiser. “His style, work ethic and commitment to the highest levels of integrity are exceptional. He has demonstrated his ability to recruit, coach and manage an up-and-coming program, and he has been a great team player within both our department and the University community.”
Hartford’s players have flourished in two seasons under Leibovitz. Sophomore Joe Zeglinski was the first sophomore since Vin Baker to be named to the America East All-Conference First Team, and junior Michael Turner became the first player in Hartford’s Division I history to finish with over 200 points, 150 rebounds, 100 assists and 50 steals in a single season. As a team, the Hawks broke school records for both three-pointers a single game (18) and a single season (312).
The Hawks have also excelled in the classroom during Leibovitz’s tenure. Eight players earned a grade point average of 3.0 or higher last semester. Junior Jaret Von Rosenberg also earned a spot on the America East All-Academic Team, the first Hartford player to earn the distinction.
“I am very pleased with the commitment that President Harrison and Pat Meiser have made to our basketball program and to me. Each shares my vision for the future as we build on the foundation that we have laid during my first two years here. I will work hard to continue to attract quality student-athletes who will make the University of Hartford, its alumni and our community proud.”
Leibovitz is 31-34 overall since taking over at Hartford in 2006. He spent the previous 10 seasons as an assistant coach at Temple University under head coach John Chaney.