Clarksville, Ark. – University of the Ozarks has announced its newest class of Sports Hall of Fame members, the athletic department released this week.
The University's Sports Hall of Fame committee selected Dave De Hart and C.B. "Cotton" Havener '49 to join the hall during the Ozarks Awards Ceremony in October, part of Homecoming 2025.
De Hart was one of the most successful coaches in the schools' history, leading the men's soccer team to unprecedented heights from 1999 to 2008. In 10 seasons, De Hart compiled an overall record of 135-60-15 (.678) and a conference mark of 79-32-8 (.697). Nine of his teams advanced to the post-season. He was named American Southwest Conference Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2001 and his 2003 team won the ASC Postseason Tournament to advance to the NCAA Division III Championships. His teams won ASC regular season titles in 2000, 2001 and 2007 and finished second in 2002, 2003 and 2006. His 2001 team still owns the program record for most wins in a season (18). De Hart's teams displayed an explosive offensive – the program's top-five goal scorers played for him – and one of the nation's best defenses. The program's all-time leader in goals against average, wins and shutouts were goalkeepers under De Hart. 64 of his players earned All-Conference during his tenure and 14 of his players earned All-Region honors. 75 players achieved a spot on the academic All-Conference team while five of his teams earned the prestigious NSCAA team academic award. De Hart also served as athletic director for four years at Ozarks.
Havener was a long-time basketball coach at Mulberry, Arkansas. He won 2,270 games as a junior and senior high boys and girls coach at different points in a career that spanned from 1945 to 1987. His 1,556 high school victories is the second most ever in Arkansas and among the country's top-50 in the history of high school coaching. He was named Outstanding Basketball Coach in Arkansas in 1987 and was nominated for the National Basketball Coach of the Year award that same year. He was an All-Star coach and was head coach for the West All-Star basketball teams in 1987. He was named Coach of the Year in his district 28 times. Playing in one of the smallest classifications in Arkansas, Havener's teams were known for defeating larger teams across the state. His winningest season came on the high school boys side in 1965. That same group would win over 90 games in three years. On December 15, 1989, the Mulberry gym was named in his honor. He is a member of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He died in 1990 as a Purple Heart recipient.
De Hart and Havener will be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame during a special ceremony on Friday, October 17 at 6:00 p.m. in the Rogers Conference Center. A plaque unveiling ceremony for family and friends will take place at 4:00 p.m. in the gym. With the addition of De Hart and Havener, the Sports Hall of Fame now has 76 individuals.
The Sports Hall of Fame committee is made up of
Dr. Sergio Molina, athletic director;
Jimmy Clark, major gift officer for athletics;
Emalee Smith, student-athlete representative; alumnus Dr. James Cook; Cyleste Coppage, Alumni Association Board representative; and Johnny Johnson, hall of fame member.
Current members of the Hall of Fame can be found here:
Hall of Fame Members
