Head Coach Andy Hamilton '85
Head Coach Andy Hamilton '85
A full-time employee in the Grinnell athletic department since 1987, Andy Hamilton ’85 took over the women's tennis program as head coach in 2007 and has already led the Pioneers to three Midwest Conference team titles and a trio of NCAA Division III National Tournaments.
The 2008-09 team became the first in Grinnell women’s tennis history to win an NCAA Tournament match as they shut out Westminster (Mo.). Hamilton has also been named MWC Coach of the Year three times.
During his tenure, Grinnell has posted an overall mark of 75-26 and extended its MWC South Division title string to eight while stretching its victory streak over divisional opponents to 34, dating back to 2002.
Hamilton also serves as men's tennis coach at the College. Under his tutelage the Pioneers have risen in the MWC standings, achieved NCAA regional rankings, won the league's South division title 13 times, and crowned numerous singles and doubles conference champions.
Grinnell has claimed nine of the last 10 MWC championships since the 2002 season. In winning the last eight league titles, the Pioneer netmen have posted an impressive 170-54 overall dual match record while failing to drop a conference match.
Grinnell has recorded at least 10 dual-match victories in 15 straight seasons, including 18 or more the last eight seasons. Under Hamilton, the Pioneers have finished no lower than fourth in the league.
A major milestone for Hamilton's program occurred in 2002 when Felipe Bautista '02 became the first Grinnell men's tennis player to qualify for the NCAA Division III National Championships. In 2009, Dan LaFountaine ’09 and Nate Fox ’09 became the first Grinnell doubles team to advance to nationals since the advent of the D-III Tournament and also became the Pioneers’ first-ever All-Americans. At the same time, Juan Carlos Perez ’11 became Grinnell’s third national singles qualifier and again qualified in for nationals in 2010 and 2011.
Another milestone occurred in 2008 when Hamilton reached his 200th career victory and the Pioneers winning their first-ever NCAA Tournament contest. Through 2009, Hamilton owns a 247-121 mark.
Hamilton also serves the College as assistant director of athletics and as an associate professor of physical education. He holds a MSS in sports management from the United States Sports Academy, and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Grinnell College in 1985.
Hamilton is married to Sarah Hamilton ’91, and they have two children, William and Lily.
Assistant Coach:
