Another Leap of Faith

Now, after much prayerful thought and consideration, Harris has decided to make another leap of faith that will take him from North Mooreland Road to…well, he’s not yet sure exactly where.

 

“Yes, it was a complete leap of faith,” said Harris, who coached five years at Division III Vassar College (following stints as an assistant at Richmond, VMI, and Morgan State) and later headed the Team Richmond program, of his decision to accept his first high school job.

        

“Now, here we are eight years later, with four out of seven seasons either first or second in the Prep League in the regular season. Probably the best team I had on paper didn’t get to play because of COVID. There were five college basketball players on that team.”

 

So, in the always competitive Prep League and against strong non-conference competition, it’s been a good run. That said…

 

“When you know, you know,” Harris said. “It’s the right time. I’m completely at peace with my decision.”

 

Harris completes his Collegiate tenure with a 104-85 record. Fourteen players earned All-Prep honors. Four were cited as All-Metro. Eight went on to play in college.

 

“Del has been an incredible mentor for countless teachers, coaches, and students,” said Andrew Stanley, Collegiate’s Director of Athletics. “In his role as a basketball coach and teacher, he’s been a great ambassador for the School and a leader in community engagement.

 

“Since he stepped on campus, he’s connected our kids with folks all over town in ways that have been meaningful and important for them and for our School to help make sports about more than just sports.

 

“Watching Del interact with folks from all over the Richmond area has been a pleasure and made me really proud that he was a colleague. He’s taken really good care of our basketball program and our kids. He’s been an eager Middle School volleyball and lacrosse coach as well. He’s been an integral part of the fiber of our community.”

 

In addition to heading the boys basketball program and teaching Middle School physical education, Harris has served in numerous capacities, including sponsorship of United Sisters and Brothers in both the Upper and Middle Schools.

 

He will continue to serve as director and board chair of Team Richmond and operate Del Harris Basketball, through which he conducts clinics and serves as a mentor for coaches and youth in the community. He’s an in-demand motivational speaker whose primary message is that basketball is a means to an end, not the end itself. He’s also affiliated with USA Basketball and played a vital role in bringing the Gold Camp (the nation’s top 8th grade players) to Collegiate in 2019.

 

A staunch advocate for social justice and inclusion, Harris has also served as a vice-president of 804 Coaches for Change, an organization which was created in June 2020 in the wake of the George Floyd tragedy, ministers to young men and women in underserved communities, and stages the 804 Coaches for Change Community Classic in late December.

 

Why leave now?

 

“I just feel it in my spirit,” Harris said. “It’s something I’ve prayed on. I’m stepping out completely on faith and trusting it’s the right time for the School, for me, and for the young people.

 

“I’ve poured my heart and soul and passion into this place. I’ve authentically been me. We’ve been able to establish something really special like CULTURE W1NS. People really understand what that means on and off the court.

 

“The foundation has been built. That will continue in a different way. There’s a lot returning next year. I expect whoever steps in to drive the ship will drive it in the right direction.”

 

Highlights? There’ve been plenty. Among them…

 

“The first time in 20 years, winning the Times-Dispatch Invitational [Tournament, in 2019] and having Middle Schoolers and Lower Schoolers in the locker room for the pre-game and post-game and having the School celebrate with you…that was so meaningful,” he said.

 

“And the little moments no one will ever know. [Athletes] thanking you for helping them along the way on their journey. And Jackson Watkins, a walk-on at North Carolina, living a dream vicariously through him. And Robbie Beran coming in with no Division I offers, taking a leap of faith and leaving J.R. Tucker. That’s what life is about sometimes: taking a leap of faith. Forty Division I offers later and an NCAA tournament appearance at Northwestern and earning two degrees. I could go on and on. It’s love for so many guys. It’s very, very special.”

 

Throughout his interview process, Harris made abundantly clear that he derives great joy not just in developing talent and winning basketball games and challenging for championships but winning the hearts and minds of those whom he coaches as well as those who view him as the quintessential role model and mentor.

 

“I know I’m a coach,” Harris said. “I know I love to coach. I know I love the game of basketball. That’s my passion. I feel that’s my purpose. I feel that’s my ministry. I hope that continues wherever the Good Lord calls me to serve.”

~Weldon Bradshaw