Behind the Scenes: David Harris

Beyond the Field had the opportunity to sit down with new Athletic Director, David Harris, to get know the new AD.

David Harris was named Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at UNI on February 24, 2016. Before coming to UNI, David served as a Senior Associate Athletic Director at Iowa State. There he was the sport administrator for football, men's basketball, and wrestling, while having oversight responsibilities for student-athlete development, compliance, athletic training, and strength and conditioning. Prior to Iowa State, David worked in the athletics department at the University of Wisconsin as the Associate Athletic Director of Student Services from 2002 until 2006.

Prior to his career of working in athletics, David played football at Ole Miss. David earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1993 and his MBA in 1995 from Ole Miss. David started working in athletics in 1998 at his alma mater, where he was hired in the Academic Support department. In this role, he was able to help student-athletes plan for life after graduation and their playing careers, something that David likes doing.

David always had the dream of becoming an athletic director, all that he needed was the right place and right opportunity. He wanted to find a university that had a strong focus on academics, had a fairly good athletic program, and was accepting of his family. He found the right fit at UNI. David mentioned that during his short time at UNI, he has met some amazing people and supporters and that the Cedar Valley is a great, safe place to raise his two children, Kaitlyn and Wesley.

So far, David has enjoyed his time at UNI. He noted that UNI has been most welcoming of him and his family and that the staff is enjoyable to work with. He also noted that people in the area want to contribute and want to be apart of a great program. The people that David have met are more about helping others than helping themselves and that gives UNI a blue collar feel.

David has many favorite memories of working in athletics and during his time as a football players at Ole Miss. "One of the memories at the top of my list would have to be being named as Athletic Director here at UNI." Other memories noted by David were playing football at Ole Miss and all of the relationships he made while being a player there. In his professional career he noted that being apart of Wisconsin's NCAA hockey championship and Iowa State's championships in the Big 12 Basketball Tournament.

Finally, David offered some advice for those looking to get into athletics. He said that you must understand the commitment and lifestyle of athletics. "It isn't just a 9-5 job, you work all day, nights, weekends, and holidays. You have to be ready to take on that kind of commitment and to try to be good in this area you must be willing to make that commitment." David noted that those who are willing to work in this type of job must improve themselves everyday in a very competitive environment. "You must be able to handle every challenge that comes your way and be all in to working hard."