Duke great Leo Hart interested in athletics director position

Hart was a three-time all-ACC quarterback from 1968-70 and passed for 6,116 yards in his career. He has since had a highly successful business career. The Kinston native has been actively involved in Duke fund-raising for many seasons.

Duke is looking to replace Joe Alleva, who left for a similar position at LSU.

"I've always loved my experiences at Duke," Hart said. "If there were ways Duke would have an interest in me, certainly I'd have an interest in them."

Following a brief career in the NFL, Hart settled in Atlanta, where he became a successful businessman.

Wes Chesson, who played receiver at Duke with Hart and is now an announcer on the Duke football broadcasts, said, "We're hoping he's going to be the next athletic director at Duke."

"He's been invaluable at Duke with fundraising," Chesson said. "And there isn't a better people person than Leo."

Hart is the former chairman of the board of U.S. Personnel Inc., a large human resources firm based out of Irving, Texas. U.S. Personnel was acquired by another company in March. Hart had served as chair since 1996. He also had been Managing Director of Brae Capital Corp., an investment firm based out of New York.

He previously had worked for Swiss Army Brands Inc., which distributed Swiss Army knives, and had worked in the hotel industries.

Hart, who resides in Atlanta, said his business experiences taught him the value of building relationships, which would be helpful in an athletics director's role.

Duke has formed a committee to search for the new AD, and president Richard Brodhead said he expects a decision by the end of the summer at the latest. Chris Kennedy is running the department in the interim but Kennedy is not pursuing the AD position.