Although a successful kicker at Northeastern University, he concluded his future would lie in television broadcasting.

He earned a master's degree in communication from Emerson College in Boston. While there, Hart once groused when a colleague mentioned going to work for a station in North Carolina.

“I remember saying, ‘boy, I hope I don't have to go to North Carolina,''' Hart said. “Keep in mind, this was the ignorance in me. A lot of times we think we know what is best for us, but we don't.''

Perhaps it was fate. Hart was born in Canada, but was only three months old when his family relocated to England before eventually settling in Florida. Now, he has lived in the Carolinas longer than any other place.

He spent four years as the sports director at WECT. After leaving in 1993, has filled the same role for WYFF television in Greenville, S.C., where he won best sportscaster in 2007 and 2009 by the Radio Television Digital News Association.

“I was so blessed to work in Wilmington as my first job,'' he said. “I had to pinch myself.''

How did he break into the business?

With a resume tape in hand, Hart scoped out southern markets ranked 100 to 200 nationally. He phoned news directors to line up nine interviews over a four-day period in such places as Columbia, Charleston and the Port City.

Wilmington was his first stop, and before he completed the tour, WECT called and offered to make him sports director.

“I was in the right place at the right time,'' he said.

He remembers covering the UNC-Wilmington men's basketball team during Kevin Eastman's first three years as coach.

Hart also has fond memories of the Trot Nixon-led New Hanover Wildcats, who won the state 4A baseball title in 1993 and came close to a state football crown in 1991 after two thrilling games.

He clearly recalls the Wildcats downing Richmond County Senior and losing to South View on a touchdown pass on the final play in the Eastern final.

“Those two high school games continue to be among the greatest I've seen,'' Hart said. “I have covered a lot of high school games and I relate them to the New Hanover-Richmond County and New Hanover-South View games.''

While Hart left behind a bushel of memories from the Port City, he says he has found happiness at WYFF.

Like at WECT, he only expected to remain through the duration of a four-year contract and was ready to submit his resignation in 1997.

“I actually came to work one day to tell them I was leaving, and by the end of the day, I was staying,'' he said.

He met his wife in the upstate and they have four children. With his roots firmly planted, he considers Greenville a fabulous place to work and live, even though he originally wanted to broadcast in a metropolitan region.

“But this gives me a better quality of life, since I am able to live downtown, and that is something you cannot do in a big city,'' he said.

He traded in UNCW and Cape Fear area preps for Clemson, South Carolina and high schools in the upstate.

“South Carolina is such a football state,'' he said. “It is a sport that is always in season. You don't listen to a radio talk show without someone bringing up football, even with the ACC basketball tournament right around the corner.''

Hart's highlights include covering the 2006 Winter Olympics, the Carolina Panthers' Super Bowl appearance and Clemson and South Carolina in the College Baseball World Series.

“But as far as my first job goes, I have a real affection for Wilmington,'' he said. “That is a special place. I love Wilmington.”