Harp out at GCCC athletics

3/6/2013

Harp out at GCCC athletics

By ADAM HOLT

aholt@gctelegram.com

Former Garden City Community College athletic director and director of athletic advancement Dennis Harp is no longer employed by the GCCC athletic department.

Athletic director Ryan Ruda would not elaborate on the circumstances of Harp's departure, other than to confirm Harp is not currently employed by the athletic department, and that the move was made last week.

"The athletic department is still going the same direction," Ruda said. "We're still very much progressive on our athletic programs and fundraising."

The move comes just six months after Harp was hired as AD in September, and three weeks after a major reorganization of the GCCC athletic department. Those changes saw Ruda become athletic director in addition to his responsibilities as vice president for student services, and Harp's reassignment to athletic advancement, a move that was intended to allow Harp to focus on fundraising.

GCCC president Herbert Swender wouldn't comment any further on the matter other than to say the move was a personnel decision.

"The athletic department, we're just anxious for Ryan to enter the leadership role for the coaches and the programs," Swender said.

Harp was not available for comment after several attempts by The Telegram to reach him were unsuccessful.

Ruda said fundraising efforts for the athletic department would continue, but how those responsibilities will be handled, and by whom, is yet to be determined.

Harp had joined the Broncbusters' athletic department after serving as athletics development director for the University of Texas-Arlington. He also had spent more than 25 years at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. There, he served 10 years as director of corporate relations, which mainly involved working with donors.

In the recent reorganization, Colin Lamb was named assistant athletic director and Dan Delgado assumed the duties of sports information director/promotions.

Bob Larson, who had been the AD prior to Harp's arrival, remains as coordinator of athletic activities as does Jacob Ripple as assistant athletic director for student success.