Harvey named UAM Director of Athletics; will remain baseball coach
UAM Sports
Devon Lucal, Sports Information Director
MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello has appointed John Harvey, who is the most successful baseball coach in Arkansas-Monticello history, as UAM’s director of athletics.
Harvey assumed the role of interim athletics director in November while continuing as head baseball coach following the departure of Chris Ratcliff. Harvey will continue to coach the Boll Weevil baseball team, which he has led to a record of 193-146 in seven seasons.
UAM Chancellor Karla Hughes said Harvey’s appointment “lends continuity to the successful program he has built and will allow us to honor a commitment to the student-athletes he has recruited and coached for their sustained success both in the classroom and on the field. John has demonstrated tremendous leadership since being asked to serve in the dual role of coach and athletics director and I believe he is the person to help us build a model Division II athletics program.”
“I’m excited to have this opportunity,” said Harvey, “and grateful to Dr. Hughes for having the faith and trust in me to lead our program in intercollegiate athletics. We have an outstanding group of coaches who have made my job easier. I share our chancellor’s vision of building a Division II athletics program that will serve as a model for other institutions.”
Harvey came to UAM in September 2010 from Henderson State, where he guided the Reddies baseball team to a 154-148 record in six seasons. In the four seasons prior to Harvey taking over the UAM program, the Boll Weevils won just 35 games and lost 143.
It took three years for Harvey to turn the program around. After posting a 35-52 record his first two seasons, Harvey led the Weevils to a 32-20 mark in 2013 and over the past five years, UAM is 158-94. In 2016, the Boll Weevils won a school-record 40 games while posting a 40-16 mark that included the Great American Conference tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Division II Central Region Playoffs. Behind Division II national player of the year Corey Wood, the Weevils came within a game of reaching the Division II College World Series.
In 2017, Harvey guided an almost completely rebuilt team to a 33-21 record and a second straight GAC tournament title as well as a berth in the NCAA Playoffs. The Weevils reached the third round before finishing their season with a loss to Minnesota State.
A native of Lufkin, Tex., Harvey lettered four years at Lyon College, where he graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He also holds a master’s degree in sports administration from Henderson State.
Harvey and his wife, Jaime, have two sons, Brooks and Brock.