Hofstra University Athletics

HARRY ROYLE

Harry Royle served the Hofstra University Athletic Department for nearly 40 years, including seven years as director of athletics. After serving as interim director from June 1997 through February 1998, Harry, a longtime Hofstra University athletic administrator, was selected as the University's sixth director of athletics. During his tenure, Hofstra upgraded nearly all of its athletic facilities, moved into the Colonial Athletic Association for all sports but football and joined the highly competitive Atlantic 10 Football Conference after years of playing as a I-AA Independent.

In October 2004 he stepped down from his director’s position to take a position in athletic fundraising and was director of athletic development until his retirement in December 2007.

Harry, a Hofstra alumnus who received his bachelor's in history in 1970 and master's in educational administration in 1990, had been a fixture at Hofstra since the 1960’s. After a stellar four-year football playing career at Hofstra, where he was 1968 team captain and the third recipient of the Mayor's Trophy, Harry served as an assistant football coach under three head coaches, Howard "Howdy" Myers, Bill Leete and Mickey Kwiatkowski, from 1969 through 1987. During this time, he served as a position coach and defensive coordinator with the Flying Dutchmen and made three NCAA Championship appearances.

He also served as an assistant lacrosse coach under Myers from 1971 through 1975 before replacing the legendary Hall of Fame coach upon his retirement in 1976. Harry directed the Flying Dutchmen lacrosse program as head coach from 1976 through 1985, compiling a 58-55 record and leading the program to a Top 13 ranking or better in five of those 10 years. In 1978 he led the Flying Dutchmen to an 8-5 record, an NCAA Championship Tournament bid and a seventh-place national ranking. 

Harry became Hofstra’s assistant director of athletics in 1985, serving as team administrator for numerous programs, including football and lacrosse. In 1995 he was promoted to associate director of athletics for compliance and university eligibility.

Harry has served as tournament director for the highly successful NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship-Northern Quarterfinals at Hofstra Stadium in 1997 and 1998, and was a member and chairman of the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Committee.

In 2007 Harry was recognized for his contributions to the sport of lacrosse as he was a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association.