In more than a century of Millersville intercollegiate athletics, no head coach has won more contests than Dr. Richard C. DeHart, who served as men's basketball mentor from 1956 to 1982.
In 26 years, Dr. DeHart guided the Marauders to a 321-298 overall record that included six NAIA district championships (1957, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1974 and 1975) and 13 winning campaigns. His most victorious seasons were in 1966-67 (21-6) and 1973-74 (21-5).
Dr. DeHart's 1974-75 quintet earned Millersville's sole NAIA national tourney victory in an 82-81 overtime thriller versus Ferris State (Michigan). He skippered high-scoring Marauder teams of the mid-to-late ‘60s that averaged nearly 100 points per game over a three-year span (1965-66 to 1967-68).
Several of the greatest players to ever wear the Black and Gold, including MU Athletic Hall of Famers Phil Walker and Roger Raspen, flourished during DeHart’s distinguished tenure.
In addition to his basketball coaching duties, Dr. DeHart served as professor of health and physical education at Millersville from 1956 until his retirement in 1985. He was also head women’s tennis coach and head men’s cross country coach for three years apiece during his tenure.
Dr. DeHart received the Lancaster County Sportswriters and Sportscasters Award in 1975. He was honored in 1981 by Millersville for a quarter-century of service to the University, and was feted at a recognition dinner in his honor in 1983.
A U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1945 to 1947, Dr. DeHart was athletics director at Davis & Elkins College (West Virginia) for two years before coming to Millersville in 1956. He earned a bachelor's degree in education from West Virginia University in 1950, and received a master's degree in 1955.
Today, Dr. DeHart resides in Lakeland, Fla.
