Hall of Fame
Dr. Bruce Harger was Director of Athletics at Drury from 1988 until his death in 2003. As one of the key figures in Drury’s athletic history, he directed the program’s move from NAIA to NCAA in the early 1990s. He introduced seven new intercollegiate sports while maintaining the Drury philosophy of the student-athlete and excellence in athletics and academics. Under his watchful eye Drury fielded competitive athletic teams with young men and women who also earned their college degrees.
A 1960 graduate of Denison University (Ohio), Harger earned his master’s degree from Penn State University in 1964. He was also a varsity letterman in football and baseball at Denison. Dr. Harger served as a graduate assistant coach in football for Penn State University. While enjoying a distinguished 26-year career in the U.S. Air Force, he earned his doctorate in exercise physiology from Ohio State University in 1971. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of colonel and held command positions in NATO and the Strategic Air Command prior to his coming to Drury.
Harger also served as a freshman baseball coach, an instructor in physical education, Director of Human Performance Laboratory, and assistant director of the intramural program while in the U.S. Air Force. In addition to his duties as Director of Athletics he also served on a variety of campus, local and national committees. A native of New Haven, Conn., Dr. Harger is survived by his wife, Cleo, and their 3 children: Susan, Catherine and Ellen.
