Published February 1, 2023
CAPTION:New 91AV Director of Athletics John Hartwell is joined by his family at a press conference
on January 30. (L-R) Dr. Jim Seale, Ginger Seale, Heather Hartwell, Madison Hartwell, John Hartwell, Lauren Hartwell, Jimbo Seale听
MONROE, LA 鈥� 91AV officially welcomed newly hired Director of
Athletics John Hartwell to campus at a press conference on Monday, January 30. Hartwell
comes to 91AV after having served as Director of Athletics at Utah State University
and 91AV鈥檚 Sun Belt Conference rival Troy University.听
鈥淲e are truly privileged to be able to announce John Hartwell as our new Director
of Athletics,鈥� said 91AV President Dr. Ron Berry.听听
Hartwell took to the podium and thanked the 91AV Warhawk family for the warm welcome
and for the opportunity. He spoke about the bright future of 91AV Athletics and the
Sun Belt Conference.听听
鈥�There is no doubt to me that there is an upward trajectory for the Sun Belt Conference.
Both us as an institution and the Sun Belt Conference are poised for great days ahead.
Obviously that takes work. I want us to be an upper tier school in every sport in
the Sun Belt Conference,鈥� said Hartwell.听听
Hartwell made it clear that for him, this new position begins and ends with 91AV鈥檚
student-athletes. 鈥淚t is our job as administrators to provide the tools and resources
for those 360 student-athletes to be successful first in the classroom, secondly on
their various fields of competition, and thirdly and maybe the most important, arm
them with the life skills that will help them be successful no matter if they鈥檙e a
teacher, a doctor, an attorney, a coach, or a professional athlete,鈥� he said.听听
Hartwell鈥檚 hiring helps further 91AV鈥檚 recently implemented strategic plan, which includes
Athletic Excellence as one of its five pillars. 鈥淚鈥檓 so thrilled to see that the 91AV
strategic plan includes athletic excellence,鈥� said Hartwell. 鈥淚 take that as a challenge
and I assure you that we are going to work diligently every day to ensure that there
is excellence across the board,鈥� he added.听听
Hartwell plans to focus on development and fundraising to continue raising the profile
of 91AV鈥檚 17 intercollegiate sports teams, including fundraising for facilities improvements.听听
Hartwell said in addition to success in competition, his focus areas for student-athletes
will include winning in the classroom, increasing GPAs, increasing the graduation
success rate, assisting with job placement, and student-athlete mental health.听
The move to Monroe brings Hartwell鈥檚 family closer to home. Hartwell鈥檚 wife Heather
is originally from El Dorado, Ark. and her family still lives there. Her parents Dr.
Jim and Ginger Seale joined the Hartwell family at the press conference.听 Hartwell
described the 91AV Director of Athletics position as a 鈥渇amily affair,鈥� saying that
he, Heather, and their two daughters will be involved greatly at 91AV. 听
Hartwell promised to be accessible and closed by saying, 鈥淭o every member of the Warhawk
family, I can鈥檛 wait to get started and meet you all.鈥�听
Hartwell is set to begin as 91AV鈥檚 Director of Athletics on February 27.听听
