Gary Harms, who has worked as an employee at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for the last 35 years, will retire from his position of Director of Recreation Sports and Facilities this Friday.
 
Harms has excelled in his role as an ambassador for recreation sports, for athletics, for the university and for the Whitewater community during his long tenure at the institution.
 
A resident of Whitewater, Harms is an avid supporter of Warhawk teams and has gone above and beyond in his support of UW-W's 22 varsity programs.
 
"Gary is a key part of our operations, and his passion for Warhawk Athletics and support of our mission has been unwavering," Interim Athletic Director Ryan Callahan said. "In addition to providing leadership and funding in overseeing our fantastic indoor and outdoor facilities, Gary has supported our department as a regular attendee at both competition and fundraising events and as an engaged member of the Whitewater community.
 
"I've had the privilege of working with Gary for almost 15 years. He will be missed by our coaches and staff. We wish him well in retirement."
 
Harms currently chairs the UW-Whitewater Athletics Hall of Fame Board – a position he will continue into retirement – and has been a Board member for nearly 15 years. He is also a former president of the UW-Whitewater Quarterback Club, and has been a member of that group as well as the Men's Basketball Tip-Off Club for more than 30 years.
 
Harms' interactions are not limited to athletics and recreation sports staff, which includes eight full-time, professional staff, eight student building supervisors, 15 grounds crew/set-up crew staff and more than 175 student employees. He has served on more than 40 different campus committees, and has worked under seven different Chancellors and alongside nine Athletic Directors.
 
"I have been blessed to work with so many outstanding campus staff in addition to my colleagues in recreation sports and athletics," Harms said. "I don't believe these unique opportunities to work so closely with the athletic department exist at other institutions. That was certainly a factor in our family growing roots in the Whitewater community and bleeding purple for the past 35 years."
 
Harms, who started as UW-W's Coordinator of Intramural Sports when he was hired in 1985, was named Director of Recreation Sports and Facilities in 1990. He directs all operations of the Williams Center and Kachel Fieldhouse as well as all adjacent outdoor facilities, including Perkins Stadium. Harms also oversees recreation sports, which includes club sports, general recreation, aquatics, fitness and spirit programs.
 
Since Harms was hired, the Warhawks have won 18 of their 20 national championships, and UW-Whitewater's club wheelchair basketball teams have claimed 15 of their 16 national titles.
 
Numerous facility additions, developments and renovations have occurred during Harms' tenure, including the Williams Center Fieldhouse addition, which was completed in 2001. He chaired the Building Committee and played an integral role in the $14.5 million project's approval, design, building and opening.
 
Other facilities added during his career include the Berezowitz Student Athletic Complex (SAC), Coulthart Family Pavilion, the Kachel Athletic Outdoor Complex (Foster Track and Fiskum Field), van Steenderen Softball Complex and Prucha Field at Miller Stadium.
 
Harms has personally worked with each of the people whose names are etched onto UW-Whitewater athletics facilities – Bob Berezowitz, Chuck Coulthart, Bob Fiskum, Rex Foster, David L. Kachel, Jim Miller, Willie Myers, Forrest Perkins, Kris Russell, Dave Vander Meulen, Marty van Steenderen and Ron Wangerin.
 
"Over the past 35 years, it has been an honor and a privilege to work at UW-Whitewater, which is an incredible institution," Harms said. "We have some of the finest facilities in NCAA Division III athletics, which have aided the recruitment of exceptional student-athletes and coaches and propel us to multiple NCAA national championships."
 
Therese Kennedy, the Assistant Director of Recreation Sports and Facilities, has worked with Harms for the past 29 years. She lauded Harms' leadership of the department and his ability to foster an environment of success.
 
"Gary's dedication and service is the reason UW-Whitewater's Office of Recreation Sports and Facilities is where it is today," Kennedy said. "Under his leadership and organization, our facilities are always busy with athletic tournaments and events throughout the year. He has left a tremendous mark on UW-Whitewater, and he will be greatly missed as a boss, colleague and friend."
 
Harms is set to enjoy retirement with his wife of 34 years, Judy, who retired after serving as a physical education teacher in the Whitewater Unified School District and former varsity girls basketball coach at Whitewater High School.
 
The Harms family includes three children. Leah Mills (30 years old) worked for UW-Whitewater Athletics for four years. Kelsey Hookstead (28) and Brett Harms (24) each attended UW-Whitewater. Brett was a two-time All-American for the Warhawks' cross country and track and field programs from 2014-18.
 
Harms recently became a grandfather as Kelsey and her husband, Miles, welcomed their son, Wesley, to the world in June.
 
"I will certainly miss coming to my second home each day for work, but we plan to remain very active in supporting UW-Whitewater Athletics, and I know Recreation Sports and Facilities will always be a solid partner with the foundation we've set," Harms said. "I'm excited to see where the future takes this campus as well as what's in store for Judy and me in our next chapter."