Mike Hamilton, a longstanding administrator and former director of athletics at the University of Tennessee, passed
away on Friday at the age of 60.
Mike Hamilton, the man whose leadership the university’s famed Torchbearer Statue honors, personified the “ideal
of service” throughout his time leading the Volunteers sporting team.
“The passing of Mike Hamilton is a sad day for everyone here on Rocky Top,” vice chancellor and director of athletics
Danny White remarked. “Mike’s special bond with the University of Tennessee was evident to all those who had the
good fortune to spend time with him. We shall sincerely miss him. We are praying and thinking of Mike’s family and
loved ones.”
In 2003, he was named director of athletics, taking over for mentor Doug Dickey, who was retiring. Although UT
athletics remained a national model of excellence in collegiate athletics, Hamilton guaranteed that the department’s
influence extended well beyond the playing grounds.
On June 7, 2011, Hamilton tendered his resignation as athletic director following eight years in that role.
Tennessee athletics had a history of national prominence, and Hamilton’s leadership saw that tradition continue.
During his eight years as AD, the Vols finished in the top 16 of the NACDA Directors’ Cup six times, including two
top-10s.
Under Hamilton’s direction, the men’s basketball program achieved unprecedented heights and advanced to the
NCAA Elite Eight in 2010—the most successful season in program history. In 2008, the basketball team not only
secured the SEC Championship but also attained its inaugural No. 1 national ranking. Men’s tennis also competed
for the national title in 2010 and placed second nationally.
Under Hamilton’s leadership, an organization with an annual budget of $100 million was able to achieve
extraordinary success in fundraising in addition to the academic and athletic domains of volunteerism. In 1992,
when he came to Rocky Top, UT athletics had received contributions totaling $4 million. When he took over as
director of athletics in 2003, that figure had gone up.
Born and raised in Brevard, North Carolina, Hamilton worked as Wake Forest University’s assistant director of the
Deacon Club before to joining the Vols staff in 1992. Prior to this, he worked as a graduate assistant in fundraising at
Clemson University, his former school.
Hamilton, together with his spouse Beth, was a shining example of community service as he chaired the United Way
Campaign and held the position of chairman of the Knoxville Chamber Partnership. Through their Kalu Grace
Foundation, the Hamiltons have raised $300,000 to fund philanthropic activities in Africa and more than $550,000
for local adoption agencies.
In addition to his involvement with the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, Fellowship Church, Crohn’s/Colitis
Foundation of America, Adoption Advocates, and Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries, Hamilton served on the
boards of the Blood: Water Mission and the Both Ends Burning campaign.
Hamilton is survived by his wife Beth, two daughters, Madison and Kalu, and three sons, Matthew, Nate, and Kiya.
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