Transition in Athletics and Recreation Leadership

Dear faculty, staff, and students,

I am writing today to share that Andy Hamilton ’85 will step down as Director of Athletics and Recreation on Dec. 23, 2022. After a sabbatical, he will return to the faculty as associate professor of physical education, where he teaches a tutorial on Black Athletes and other courses focused on sport sociology, sport journalism, and organization and administration of athletics.

Andy has served as Director of Athletics and Recreation since 2016, succeeding Greg Wallace. Serving under four deans and two presidents, he expanded support for student-athletes by adding administrative, coaching, and support staff for almost every program. His commitment to the academic mission of the College included creating four faculty head coach positions, where leaders promote the holistic development of student-athletes both in and out of the classroom, in addition to hiring nine head coaches into new and existing positions. As Director of Athletics and Recreation, Andy worked to advance the diversity of both the department and the student-athlete cohort as a whole. Under his leadership, the College hired eight professionals of color and five women into head coaching positions, where women are significantly under-represented. As a result of his efforts, the student-athlete diversity profile closely reflects the diversity of the student body.

In 2018, he led the planning for the outdoor tennis court upgrade. Andy’s leadership guided the program through the global pandemic and cancellation of seasons, helping facilitate the football program’s comeback after the shortened 2019 season. He has led internal, external, and Title IX compliance reviews and ensured that the department is prepared for changes at the conference and NCAA level.

In competition, under his leadership, Grinnell College varsity teams won 31 MWC or SLIAC championships and the College’s women’s teams won two MWC All-Sports Trophies (2017-18 and 2021-22). He previously served as interim athletic director and assistant athletic director, as well as associate professor of physical education. A true Grinnellian, he graduated from the College in 1985, majoring in music and obtaining a teaching certificate in elementary education. In addition, he played football and tennis as a student-athlete and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

While teaching in the Tama, IA school district after graduation, Andy served as an assistant football coach part-time from 1985 until 1987, when he returned to the College full-time as Assistant Sports Information Director, going on to become head coach for men’s tennis in 1995 and women’s tennis in 2007. In his time as head coach, Grinnell’s tennis teams achieved NCAA regional rankings and crowned numerous singles and doubles league champions. The men’s teams set a school record for victories in 2014 and claimed 15 Midwest Conference titles, appearing in the NCAA National Tournament 11 times. The women’s team claimed seven Midwest Conference titles and qualified for seven NCAA Division III National Tournaments under his guidance. He was named Midwest Conference Coach of the Year four times.

During his career, he also coached women’s basketball, was a men’s basketball assistant coach and assisted with football. As Director of Athletics and Recreation he has worked diligently and effectively to build engagement among athletics alumni through outreach and reunion events.

An announcement regarding interim leadership and plans for a search will be shared in the coming weeks.

Beronda Montgomery
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College