Lubbock Christian University Athletics

Keith Hart was Lubbock Christian's second and final NAIA National Player of the Year in 1998, when he had a season for the ages and set many Chap records that may never be broken. 

As a senior in 1998, Hart played in all 70 Chap games, setting school records for batting average (.511), hits (138), home runs (31), total bases (268) and slugging percentage (1.059). He had 35 doubles, 10 triples, driving in 121 runners and scoring 106 times himself while striking out just 26 times all year. Hart did not walk much, but his 21 bases on balls and four hit-by-pitches gave him an on-base percentage of .545 for the season. He also fielded well at first base with just four errors in 524 chances. 

Career-wise at LCU, Hart's average was only slightly lower at .473 (221-467), which is still the all-time record. His 49 home runs in the two seasons are the eighth-most all-time, as do his 56 doubles. He drove in 205 runs in just those two seasons, ranking him ninth among LCU's history. 

Hart was an All-Sooner Athletic Conference selection in the infield both seasons and was named the Player of the Year in 1998. He was also named to the All-Southwest Regional Team, the All-America First Team and Baseball America's Small College Player of the Year. 

Thanks in large part to Hart, the 1998 season was very successful for the Chaps, who ended the year ranked No. 7 in the NAIA national poll. LCU went 52-18, winning their second Sooner Athletic Conference title by defeating Oklahoma City twice in the finals of the SAC Postseason Tournament to put them in the Southwest Regional, where their season ended. 

After the 1998 season, Hart was drafted in the 32nd round (955th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in the Major League Baseball draft. He hit .265 in two seasons at the minor league level. 

Hart now resides in Gainesville, Georgia, and is still an avid suporter of Lubbock Christian baseball.