David W. Thompson, men's and women's swimming coach at Hamilton for the past 17 years, will be given additional responsibilities as associate director of athletics, a new position, effective July 1 and will become athletics director on July 1, 2002.
"Hamilton is grateful for the many years of dedication and service Tom Murphy has provided to the college and its student-athletes," said President Eugene M. Tobin. "I am delighted he will stay on for two years to provide a smooth transition in the department."
Tobin said the July 1, 2002, transition date coincides with the time when Hamilton will begin playing a full New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) schedule in all sports.
"As Hamilton and NESCAC move to strengthen their relationship," Murphy said, "this decision provides an opportunity for someone to become acclimated to the new structure that will be in place for years to come. I look forward to assisting Dave Thompson over the next two years and to devoting more of my time to the men's basketball program."
"Dave Thompson will benefit from the solid foundation Tom Murphy has built as we move toward a new level of athletic competition for our students," Tobin said. "I am pleased that someone of Dave Thompson's integrity, vision and commitment to the high ideals of the student-athlete philosophy espoused by NESCAC and Hamilton College will lead us as we approach this important time in our athletic history."Murphy joined the Hamilton community in 1970 as head men's basketball coach. He was named director of athletics and chair of the Department of Physical Education in 1979, one year after the merger of Hamilton and Kirkland Colleges. At the time, Hamilton sponsored 11 varsity teams for men (baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis and track and field) and just seven for women (basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, swimming, tennis and track). Today the college's intercollegiate athletics program has grown to 28 sports, 14 for men and 14 for women. A full program of intramural sports, club sports and physical education courses provides for the varied interests of the college's 1,700 students.Murphy is probably best-known for the success of the Continental men's basketball team. During the three decades that he has guided the team, Hamilton has posted a 527-231 record, including winning records in each of the past 26 seasons and appearances in six straight NCAA Division III Tournaments. Last year Murphy achieved his 500th career win.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) has recognized Murphy for his achievements numerous times. He was named the NABC Division III Coach of the Year in 1978-79 and 1990-91 and NABC East Region Coach of the Year after the 1982-83 season. In August of 1998, Murphy was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame. He is currently the chairman of the Division III Men's National Basketball Committee.
Murphy received his bachelor's degree in 1960 and his master's degree in 1961 from Springfield College. Prior to his arrival at Hamilton, he coached at Belleville (NY) High School, where his teams registered a national-record 83 consecutive victories. Tom and his wife, JoAnn, live in Clinton and have two sons, both of whom graduated from Hamilton.
Dave Thompson recently completed his 17th season as head coach of the Hamilton swimming and diving program, and it may have been his best year ever. Both his men's and women's teams won the New York State championships, the first time a coach has guided both teams to the championship in the same year. The men's team also finished eighth and the women were 10th in the NCAA Division III Championship, their highest finishes ever.
In his 17 years leading the men's and women's swim teams, Thompson has compiled a combined dual meet record of 207-99. He has coached 109 qualifiers for the NCAA Division III Championships throughout his 17 seasons, along with 46 All-Americans. For his efforts, Thompson has been named the NYSWCAA and the UNYSCSA "Coach of the Year" seven times.
A 1980 graduate of Colgate University, Thompson was captain of the varsity swim team his senior year. He spent two seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater and one year at Southwest Missouri State before arriving at Hamilton. Along with his swim team responsibilities, Thompson is an associate professor and coordinator of physical education in Hamilton's physical education department. He resides in Hamilton, N.Y., with his wife, Sherry, and their sons, Alex and Drew.
