Drexel University Athletics
Men's Soccer
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- fjh26@drexel.edu
- Phone:
- x-4961
215-895-4961
fjh26@drexel.edu
Woody Hartman returns for his 16th season on the Drexel sidelines. Hartman, who starred as one of the top goalies in Philadelphia's professional soccer history during the late 1970s, has been Head Coach Lew Meehl's top coaching confidant since 1984 when they paced the sidelines at Philadelphia Textile (currently Philadelphia University). Since then, the duo has combined for 225 career coaching victories at the Div. I level.
The veteran assistant has been a part of the Philadelphia soccer scene for more than 35 years. He attended Frankford High School and made a name for himself in goal as a four-year starting keeper for Temple University. After graduating from Temple in 1975, he moved on to a professional career with the Philadelphia Fever for three years and one season with the New Jersey Americans.
Hartman's acuity for decision making in net translated well into the coaching realm. In his first season as a coach, at Father Judge High, Hartman led the Crusaders to a Philadelphia Catholic League title in 1976. The Hartman-coached squad was the first team other than Cardinal Dougherty and Northeast Catholic to win the prestigious Philadelphia Catholic League championship. He went on to successfully coach four more years at Father Judge. Since then, Hartman's meteoric rise through the coaching ranks has included stints at Philadelphia Textile, the Philadelphia Kixx and Drexel. Hartman currently holds a U.S. Soccer Federation "A" level coaching license.
At Drexel, Hartman plays a vital role in all aspects of the program, including recruiting, game preparation and individual instruction. Hartman draws on his years of experience between the posts to train Drexel's goalies. Four of Drexel's top eight career saves leaders have been guided by Hartman, including America East Conference First-Teamer Mike Haberman and Philadelphia Soccer Seven All-Star Brian Herr. In 2005, Nick Macri, who worked with Hartman as a backup goalie for his first three seasons, ended the season among the top goalies in the nation in saves per game. Last season, one of Hartman's prized pupils, Cory Robertson, led a Drexel defense that allowed the fewest goals in the CAA and ranked nationally for fewest goals allowed. Under Hartman's tutelage, Robertson posted eight shutouts on the season, ranked sixth in the nation in goals against average and 11th in save percentage while helping the Dragons earn a share of the CAA regular-season title for the first time ever.
Hartman resides in Bensalem, Pa. with his wife Kerry and her children Courtney and Brittany. Hartman has two children who have followed in their father's footsteps. Joe played for his dad as a goalie for the Dragons and Kate completed her collegiate career last fall as a four-year goalkeeper on Drexel's women's soccer team.
