Bruce Harger, the director of athletics at Drury University since 1988 and an active participant in NCAA affairs, died May 13 after a year-long battle with cancer.

During his tenure, Drury's athletics department expanded from six sports to 13. He also oversaw the rapid growth of the school's athletics facilities.

Harger was a member of the Division II Management Council from 1999 through January 2003. He also served on the NCAA Research Committee.

Before joining Drury, Harger was a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, holding command positions in NATO and the Strategic Air Command.

He taught and coached at the U.S. Air Force Academy and served as director of the academy's human performance laboratory.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Denison University, a master's from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University.

Drury officials said that Harger will be remembered for his commitment to academic excellence among the school's scholar-athletes.