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- Saint Vincent College to partner with West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund to bring solar-powered charging station to campus
- Verostko Center announces new exhibition featuring members of Associated Artists of Pittsburgh
- Saint Vincent College to celebrate Life in Christ Week
- December SVC grad commissioned as army officer
- SVC APB wins regional award for record fifth year in a row
- Student spotlight: Bridgette Gorg
- The European Journal of Physics accepts latest work by SVC emeritus professor
- SVC theology professor to present talk on women in the Bible
- SVC biology professor leads study of connection between alcohol and nicotine addictions
- New Bachelor of Science in “Aviation Management – Professional Pilot” takes flight at Saint Vincent College
- SVC students’ documentary “Don’t Count Us Out” wins Gold Viddy Award
- Somerset Trust donates to Saint Vincent Small Business Development Center
- National top-10 ranking for Saint Vincent’s M.S. in Criminology program
- Fall 2023 Dean's List
- SVC’s Monastery Run Improvement Project significantly improves water quality along Four Mile Run
- Saint Vincent College theology professor’s book takes a deeper look at Laudato Si’
- Alumni spotlight: Charles Farley inducted into a pair of high school coaching halls of fame
- SVC Announces 2024 Wimmer Scholarship Award recipients
- Alumni spotlight: At work and at home, Aubrey Marquis is driven by philanthropy
- SVC extends deadline for financial aid filing, Bearcat Advantage Program to May 1
- The SVC Players to present “The Sound of Music” Feb. 22-25
- Alumni Spotlight: Cameron Klos
- Pittsburgh native Dr. Ruth Langer to speak at SVC’s annual Rabbi Jason Edelstein Lecture for Catholic-Jewish Dialogue
- SVC alumnus who authored “Masters of the Air” explains backstory of his book and the Apple TV+ series
- Four students participate in mock Supreme Court argument
- Alumni spotlight: Former FBI analyst Paul Hodos discusses “Steel City Mafia,” his second nonfiction book
- Alumni Spotlight: Anne Darla Pamphile
- The Latrobe/Greensburg Homeschool Science Fair returns
- Student spotlight: Alissa Minerd
- SVC panel discussion with Federated Hermes emphasizes data science’s role in asset management
- Alumni Spotlight: Brianna Baum
- Student Spotlight: Maci Rogers
- SVC professor’s internship program aims to help continue gradual cleanup of local waterways
- SVC Concert Series to present traditional Chinese woodwind program March 15
- Education honor society welcomes new members
- SVC men’s hockey team heads to D3 national tournament after winning league championship
- Student spotlight: Julie Zhu
- Fred Rogers Institute to host Community Open House
- Expert to speak at Saint Vincent about the ethics of keeping partly rehabilitated birds in captivity
- 2024 Challenge Program registration now open
- SVC math professor enjoys “reunion” in Italy at program for commutative algebra research
- SVC physics department will conduct solar eclipse program and planetarium shows
- Student spotlight: Luca Rosato
- Alumni Spotlight: Meg Matich awarded National Endowment for the Arts Literary Translation Fellowship
- SVC holds quantum computing workshop for local STEM teachers and students
- SVC to host women in business panel discussion
- SVC hosts successful Heart of Teaching conference
- Student spotlight: Austin Slye
- SVC physics researchers search for possible effects of solar eclipse on cosmic showers
- Saint Vincent to host annual Summer Theatre gala on April 12
- Saint Vincent College to host eclipse viewing event April 8
- Saint Vincent College earns silver, bronze honors in annual Educational Advertising Awards
- Student spotlight: J’Shawn Taylor
- SVC to host presentation about Catholic Rural Ministry
- Student spotlight: Jacqueline Moon
- SVC to host 2024 senior art showcase
- Saint Vincent College announces updated plans for new athletic center
- Antique coverlet exhibit will open April 17 at Saint Vincent College’s McCarl Gallery
- SVC education department to host educator and author Dr. Todd Whitaker
- SVC welcomes Sr. Gabriele Vasiliauskaité as inaugural Stephans Family Visiting Benedictine Professor
- Saint Vincent College announces Susan Baker Shipley as Spring 2024 Commencement speaker
- News
- Mr. Safin’s “From the Heart” captures filmmaking award
- Saint Vincent College extends new student commitment deadline to June 1
- SVC to host 21st annual Academic Conference
- SVC reveals finalists for 50th annual President’s Award
- SVC student will study in Wales as part of Fulbright Summer Institute program
- Saint Vincent College to build Rhodora and John Donahue Hall to house nursing program
- SVC Concert Series continues with “(S)Heroes” from the IonSound Project
- Saint Vincent College students, faculty recognized at 2024 Spring Honors Convocation
- Olivia Persin is named 2024 SVC President’s Award winner
- Dr. Sara Lindey receives Boniface Wimmer Faculty Award
- Dr. Lucas Briola receives Quentin Schaut Faculty Award
- Alumni spotlight: Chris Golias
- Attorney Daniel Lynch, C’89, delivers 2024 Spring Honors Convocation address
- Hiring event set for 2024 Steelers training camp at SVC
- SVC communication students query Bishop Zubik during mock press conference
- Auditor General Timothy DeFoor makes recruiting pitch to students during Saint Vincent College visit
- SVC students Cameron Walker and Lauren Brennan honored at Education Department’s annual senior send-off picnic
- ‘The Marvelous Wonderettes’ kicks off Saint Vincent Summer Theatre’s 2024 season
- SVC professor receives $200,000 grant from National Science Foundation to study water desalination
- Seven SVC students participate in mock Supreme Court arguments
- Saint Vincent College students win for best statistical analysis at DataFest competition
- Saint Vincent College holds 178th Spring Commencement
- Spring 2024 commencement address by Ms. Susan Baker Shipley
- SVC engineering students cap Spring 2024 semester by presenting wind tunnel projects
- SVC graduate Dominic Oto commissioned as Army officer
- SVC alumna Elizabeth Elin wins 2024 Clark Award for religious studies and theology
- SVC is recognized as a College of Distinction
- SVC’s Dr. Tim Kelly quoted by The Associated Press
- 2024 SVC Challenge Program registration ends May 31
- SVC Birding Team participates in World Series of Birding
- Alumni spotlight: Matt Bertone
- Trip to Portugal provided SVC students and alumni with global perspective
- Saint Vincent Summer Theatre offers special trolley trip for “Unnecessary Farce”
- SVC McKenna School dean and adjunct professor honored by Boy Scouts with Trailblazer Awards
- Digital art pioneer Roman Verostko, 94, dies
- Saint Vincent College ranked among top 10 Pennsylvania colleges in 19 degree programs
- SVC President Fr. Paul Taylor listed among 2024 Trailblazers in Higher Education
- Rev. Dr. Clarence E. Wright named inaugural Fred Rogers Fellow
- Dr. Mary Regina Boland quoted by Catholic News Agency
- Student spotlight: Natalie Homison
- Dr. Mary Beth Yount chosen to fill SVC’s Irene S. Taylor Endowed Chair for Catholic and Family Studies
- 35th annual Saint Vincent College Week brings 41 Crossroads Foundation scholars to campus
- 200 campers work up a sweat during annual Steelers Youth Football Camp at Saint Vincent College
- SVC’s cybersecurity program ranked No. 3 in the country
- 43 Saint Vincent College graduates begin pursuits of advanced degrees
- Student spotlight: Marta Trembetska
- SVC chemistry professor authors chapter about scholarship of teaching and learning for STEM faculty
- Saint Vincent College honors its 2024 Alumni of Distinction
- Saint Vincent Summer Theatre’s trolley event a success
- Archabbot Rev. Martin de Porres Bartel asks ‘Where are you, America?’ in TribLive editorial
- SVC hosts computer science camp for 26 students from Young Men and Women in Charge Foundation
- Saint Vincent College professor Dr. Lucas Briola to speak about Laudato Si’
- Holy multiples! SVC professor studies occurrence of twins and triplets among canonized saints
- Alumni spotlight: Kyla Hockley
- Saint Vincent College receives approval for Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program
- Spring 2024 Dean’s List
- SVC hosts annual Next One Up summer camp
- Professor tends to red maple trees along Saint Vincent College’s driveway entrance
- SVC student Maggie Shero and alumna Victoria Saddler earn grand champion laurels in equestrian competition
- Alumni spotlight: Chelsea Bayko
- Saint Vincent professor’s ‘Office Hours’ TV show promotes student and professional filmmakers from across the region
- DP Harris named Saint Vincent College’s director of athletics
by Public Relations | July 31, 2024
LATROBE, PA – Don Paul “DP” Harris, C’13, today was named director of athletics for Saint Vincent College after filling the role in an interim capacity the past 12 months. The announcement was made by Fr. Paul Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91, president of the College.
Harris, 53, is a Saint Vincent College Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and two-time Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) men’s basketball coach of the year. In addition to overseeing the College’s 23 NCAA Division III varsity teams, Harris will remain head coach of the men’s basketball team.
“I started out at Saint Vincent as a volunteer coach and occasional popcorn popper [at home games],” Harris said. “I have a simple philosophy. I am here to serve our student-athletes and work closely with our coaches and alumni to give our student-athletes and every young person who walks onto campus a true Bearcats experience.”
Harris noted he was mentored by two legends of Saint Vincent athletics, Oland “Dodo” Canterna, H’74, and Fr. Myron Kirsch, O.S.B., C’69, S’73. Canterna coached the basketball and baseball teams and was director of athletics. Fr. Myron served as director of athletics for more than four decades until his retirement in April 2023.
“Appointing DP Harris to the role of director of athletics is a pivotal decision for Saint Vincent,” Father Paul said. “He has proven and substantial skills as a coach, mentor and administrator. We look forward to the athletics program’s continued growth and success in alignment with sportsmanship, excellence and our Benedictine values under his leadership.”
During Harris’ tenure as interim director of athletics, the department experienced a period of progress and accomplishment—on the fields and courts and in the classroom—with an emphasis on fundraising and infrastructure and technology improvements.
“As interim director of athletics, DP Harris steered our athletics department forward, especially with short-term initiatives such as establishing branding guidelines and enhancing the visibility of the department’s efforts internally and externally,” said Dr. Jeff Mallory, C’06, G’13, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Saint Vincent College. “DP’s ability to connect with our community is vital. He is focused on keeping Saint Vincent on the cutting-edge in terms of providing the best experience for our student-athletes.”
The athletics program reached new heights during Harris’s term as interim director of athletics. The men’s cross country team captured its ninth PAC team championship. Tim Patterson, C’24, placed third at the conference meet and became the first male SVC runner to compete in the NCAA Division III Championships in 10 years. The wrestling team, back in action after a 50-year hiatus, won the PAC team title, boasted the conference’s newcomer of the year (165-pounder Chase Brandebura) and coach of the year (Dom Nania), and sent two wrestlers to the NCAA Division III Southeast Regional Championships.
The women’s soccer team produced its best season (10-4-4 overall, 6-2-2 PAC) in more than 15 years and hosted a conference playoff game for the first time in program history. The men’s basketball team went 23-5 overall, including a program-best 17-game winning streak, reached the PAC title game and was selected for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournament.
The men’s volleyball team (19-9 overall, 9-0 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference) had its best season in program history and made its first-ever berths in the AMCC championship and ECAC playoffs. The women’s bowling team posted the highest winning percentage (.821) among all NCAA classifications and finished the season ranked No. 9 in the National Tenpin Coaches Association Division II/III poll and No. 25 in the all-division national poll.
In the fall, 63 Saint Vincent student-athletes were named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll. This past spring, 113 Bearcats were honored—a school record and the most among all PAC institutions. College Sports Communicators lauded 17 Saint Vincent student-athletes with Academic All-District status, the most in a single year in school history.
A strong round of fundraising set the table for significant improvements to athletics facilities. Chief among them is the Dunlap Family Athletic and Recreation Center, a $22 million multipurpose building that is expected to be completed in November 2025. The 76,000-square-foot structure will have indoor practice space, including a turf field, batting cages and a multi-sport court; a fitness center and exercise rooms; office space; and a café.
Last fall, a lighting system was installed at UPMC Field, which enabled the soccer and lacrosse teams to host night games for the first time. A revamped infield and outfield warning track were installed at the baseball field. The gymnasium at the Robert S. Carey Student Center got a fresh coat of paint and new bleachers in the reserved and student seating sections.
The athletics office in the Carey Center underwent a branding enhancement, highlighted by the installation of a permanent display recognizing the College’s Athletics Hall of Fame inductees.
Harris made enhancements in the athletics communication office, adding staff and resources for social media and video production. Gameday management was overhauled to ensure first-class hospitality and a seamless experience for visiting teams, fans and officials.
“We’ve made great strides in the past year,” Harris said. “Our social media and technology have taken a step forward, and the cooperation from our coaches and student-athletes has been excellent.”
Harris began his career at Saint Vincent in 1995 as an assistant men’s basketball coach and was elevated to associate head coach in 2001. During his time as an assistant/associate coach, the Bearcats were perennially ranked in the NAIA top 25 and made four trips to the NAIA national tournament, including Elite Eight appearances in 1998 and 2002.
In 2003, Harris became head coach and led Saint Vincent to the American Mideast Conference title and the NAIA tournament’s Sweet Sixteen. From 2019 to 2021, Harris was head men’s basketball coach and associate director of athletics at Saint Thomas University in Miami. He began his second stint as Saint Vincent’s head coach at the outset of the 2022-23 season.
Over 20 seasons as a head coach, Harris has produced a 392-159 record—his .706 winning percentage ranks 12th among active NCAA Division III coaches—and has collected a dozen 20-win seasons.
A native of Wheeling, WV, Harris earned a bachelor’s degree in communication from Saint Vincent College and a master’s degree in sports management from Saint Thomas University.
Don Paul “DP” Harris
DP Harris (center) coaching the Saint Vincent College men’s basketball team.
