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| After leading Texas-Dallas for 17 seasons, Polly Thomason will the University of Hartford through its transition to NCAA Division III. Photo by Joe Fusco, d3photography.com |
The University of Hartford has selected Texas-Dallas head coach Polly Thomason to lead the program through its transition from NCAA Division I into Division III.
The University's Acting Vice-President of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Shannon Beverly announced the hiring on May 27.
"Coach Polly Thomason brings an impressive proven record of success to UHart," stated Beverly in the release. "She is the right person for us at the right time and I could not be happier that she'll be leading our women's basketball program!"
Thomason arrives just as the West Hartford program begins its transition from NCAA Division I to NCAA Division III.
The NCAA approved the move in March, beginning a process that the University hopes will culminate in becoming an active Division III member in Fall 2025.
UHart will compete as a Division I member in 2022-23 and honor scholarships to its existing players, but will not offer new scholarships to incoming first year players. The University will then seek provisional membership in a Division III conference in 2023-24 and eliminate athletic scholarships in the 2024-25 season.
When the Hawks perch in Division III, they will have a proven winner on the sidelines. Thomason went 327-126 with six NCAA Tournament appearances in 17 seasons with the Comets. She has been named ASC East Division III Coach of the Year six times and was the D3hoops.com South Region Coach of the Year in 2014-15.
Thomason also brings extensive experience in Division III athletics administration. She was appointed to the Women's Basekteball Coaches Association (WBCA) Board of Directors in 2018 and was a member of the NCAA Division III women's basketball tournament selection committee.
Even before this hire, UHart's athletic department had several connections to Division III.
Last season the Hawks' women's basketball team was led by Melissa Hodgdon who spent 16 seasons at Wheaton (Mass.) and two at Wentworth. Assistant men's basketball coach Tom Devitt won 139 games at Wentworth. Stephanie Flamini, who won 287 games at Guilford, was the Senior Associate AD at Hartford before recently returning to Division III as the head coach at Bridgewater (Va.). Dr. Beverly was the Athletic Director at Vassar for a decade and also spent time at TCNJ.