Point Loma Nazarene Athletic Director Ethan Hamilton Dies from Cancer

Point Loma Nazarene University Athletic Director Ethan Hamilton has died after a battle with cancer, school and PacWest conference officials said Saturday.

“Hamilton made a lasting impact on the Point, having served on campus for the past 19 years,” the university said in a statement.

“Ethan was one of the most effective leaders I have worked with,” PLNU President Bob Brower said. “His vision and work at PLNU created a great team of coaches and staff who continue to achieve great success with our student-athletes. Ethan’s work extended beyond PLNU to influence the PacWest Conference and the NCAA.”

Hamilton was 48, according to a PacWest news release.

“He truly loved Division II and I hope we can continue to honor his legacy in the PacWest,” said conference Commissioner Jessica Harbison Weaver.

He graduated from Point Loma in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education before returning to his alma mater in 2005 as associate athletic director and men’s basketball associate head coach.

He was then promoted to men’s basketball head coach ahead of the 2008- 09 campaign, a role he held for three seasons, before becoming athletic director in 2009-10.

During his 15-year tenure, he successfully led Point Loma from the NAIA to NCAA Division II, where PLNU became a full-time member in 2014.

Under Hamilton’s guidance, all 11 Sea Lions squads have competed in the NCAA postseason. Point Loma has made a total of 45 NCAA postseason appearances and has won 21 Pac West championships.

This past year, PLNU set school records with five teams claiming conference titles and eight reaching the NCAA postseason. That includes the PLNU women’s soccer team, which won the school’s first Division II national championship in December, and the baseball team making a second trip to the NCAA Division II World Series in three years.

In addition, the men’s basketball team finished as national runner-up in 2018-19 and 2021-22.

Point Loma also found success academically under Hamilton, having earned the NCAA Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence in all 10 years of eligibility, including in 2016 and 2017 when PLNU led the nation with an Academic Success Rate of 99%, the school said.

As athletic director, Hamilton created the Loma Athletic Fund and has led several capital projects on campus that have improved athletic facilities.

The improvements included the construction of the PLNU Athletics offices, renovation of the seating and entryway to Golden Gym, addition of new seating to Carroll B. Land Stadium, a newly installed track, resurfaced tennis courts and re-sodded baseball and soccer fields.

Hamilton oversaw the re-design of the PLNU Athletics logo and color scheme, along with partnerships with Nike and BSN Sports.

He was one of 12 ADs in the NCAA Mentoring Program for aspiring athletic directors, according to the university.

Hamilton also served as chair of the PacWest Membership and Scheduling Committee and was a member of the NCAA Division II West Regional Advisory Committee for men’s basketball, baseball and women’s volleyball.

Hamilton is survived by his wife Andrea and children Lily and Eli.

“Ethan will be greatly missed as a friend and colleague,” Brower said. “Our prayers continue for his wife and children.”

Services will be held at 3 p.m. July 28 at Horizon Christian Fellowship in Rancho Santa Fe.

– Staff and wire reports

Updated 8:15 p.m. July 6, 2024