Harty Returns As Head Coach Of Babson Ski Teams
BABSON PARK, Mass. -- For the third time in his illustrious career, Joe Harty is taking over as the head coach of the Babson men's and women's alpine ski teams. The move, announced by Director of Athletics Josh MacArthur earlier this week, comes a month after Clayton Reed announced he was stepping down after two seasons at the helm of the Beavers' downhill programs.
A collegiate ski coach for 19 years, Harty served as the Beavers' head coach from 1988 to 1995, guiding the men to Thomson Division league championships in 1989 and 1990 and the women to Thomson titles in 1988 and 1991. In addition, he coached regional qualifiers for eight consecutive seasons between 1988 and 1995 while also leading the men's team to a national championship appearance in 1989 and the women to the national meet in 1991. He was named USCSA Eastern Division Coach of the Year in 1989.
After leaving to coach the men's and women's teams at Harvard for four years, Harty returned to Babson to coach both programs in 2001-02. Over the next seven years, he helped launch one of the men's team's most successful stretches ever, posting five regional qualifications and three USCSA National Championship appearances. He guided the Beavers to regional bids in 2003 and 2004, and then took them to nationals in 2005 and 2006. During the latter trip, Babson recorded its best finish ever by placing sixth overall in the combined standings. In his final season at Babson, Harty once again led the Beavers to a magnificent campaign, as they placed 10th at the 2008 National Championships – their third national appearance in four years.
Harty returns to a program that has continued the success he helped start, as the men's program has posted national championship appearances in each of the last two seasons to make it five trips in six years.
"I am really excited to be back at Babson with the ski team," Harty says. "I did enjoy the past two winters watching my sons' ski races, which wouldn't have been possible had I been coaching. Now that I am back, my priorities are to get the womens' numbers up, focus more on recruiting, and bring in another assistant to help John Dewit and me on the hill."
"We are extremly fortunate to have someone with Joe's knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm back with our program," says MacArthur. "His familairity with Babson and our program should make for a very smooth transition."