KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Mike Hamilton, a former Tennessee Athletics Director, is dead at 60 years old. Joan Cronan, the Women's Athletic Director Emeritus who serves the University of Tennessee in an advisory role, confirmed his death to WBIR.
"Mike Hamilton was a special person of strong faith, a wonderful family man, a good friend and colleague and he loved The University of Tennessee," she said.
According to Hamilton's UT Sports biography, he became athletics director for UT in July 2003. The biography says he worked to foster a more "fan-friendly" environment within the university and launched "Ask Mike." The email hotline gave fans a way to send comments, suggestions and concerns to Hamilton through the UT Athletics website.
“It’s a sad day for everyone here on Rocky Top with the loss of Mike Hamilton,” UT Director of Athletics and Vice Chancellor Danny White said in a statement. "Everyone who was fortunate to spend time with Mike knew how special the University of Tennessee was to him. He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mike’s family and loved ones.”
Under Hamilton's eight-year tenure as athletics director, the Vols placed in the top 16 in the NACDA Directors' Cup six times, including two top-10 finishes, according to a statement issued by UT Athletics.
"Rest in peace my friend," UT System President Randy Boyd said. "We loved and were inspired by your passionate services to Blood Water Mission, to those in need in Africa, and to every community in which you lived. I'm sorry we never got to start our African Baseball League but maybe it can still happen in your honor one day."
The men’s basketball program also reached new heights under Hamilton’s leadership and reached the NCAA Elite Eight in 2010—the program’s most successful season on record, according to the statement. The basketball program also won the 2008 SEC Championship and achieved the program’s first-ever No. 1 national ranking that same year.
Hamilton extended the ticket office hours for the 2005-2006 season and started implementing an improved online ticket ordering system. In 2004 he also unveiled a plan to renovate Neyland Stadium, creating revenue streams to fund renovation projects. He also led work to improve an aquatic center, Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center and Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Hamilton announced his resignation as Athletics Director in 2011.
NBC affiliate Local 3 News in Memphis reported that Hamilton resigned from Tennessee after an NCAA investigation into recruiting violations by former basketball coach Bruce Pearl and former football coach Lane Kiffin.
After serving as Athletics Director, he became president of U.S. operations for Blood:Water Mission, a Nashville-based nonprofit that worked to provide clean water and prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS in Africa.
He and his wife Beth chaired the Knoxville Chamber Partnership and United Way Campaign, according to UT. "The Hamiltons worked diligently to raise more than $550,000 for local adoption agencies and $300,000 to support charitable work in Africa through their Kalu Grace Foundation," according to UT's statement.
Hamilton leaves behind his wife Beth, three sons, Matthew, Nate, and Kiya, and two daughters, Madison and Kalu.
Information about funerary arrangements and the cause of his death was not immediately available. This story will be updated when more information is available.