Athletics, Academics, and Enduring Friendships: The Jon Hind ’80 Legacy
“The journey really was the most fulfilling part,” he said.
Hind’s impact on the College is far-reaching — among his many accomplishments, he steered the full reintegration of Hamilton athletics into the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) and led major facility upgrades, efforts that enhance the student experience on the Hill. In recognition of his dedication and achievements, three of Hind’s closest friends — Trustees Ron Pressman ’80, Greg Hoogkamp ’82, P’25, and Monty Pooley ’84, P’16,’19 — established the Jon Hind Athletics Discretionary Fund in 2025.
The fund honors Hind’s deep commitment to equity, leadership development, and supporting scholar-athletes at the highest level. It provides the ability and flexibility for athletics directors (including Hind’s successor, Kristine Fowler, who was appointed in March) to continue the work Hind started. Pressman, Hoogkamp, and Pooley were joined by other friends and classmates in this endeavor.
“Jon is fiercely competitive and committed to the right priorities: developing leadership, character, and teamwork in Hamilton’s student-athletes,” Pooley said. “He is an outspoken advocate for Hamilton’s Athletics Department, and he understands that a strong department makes Hamilton a stronger college.”
One of the reasons Hind was so passionate about reintegrating Hamilton fully into NESCAC is that he sees the NESCAC identity as a multifaceted one, representative of a dedication to academics, community service, and relationship-building both within and outside the context of athletics.
“I think there’s a certain identity that exists within your peer group of schools,” Hind explained. “The ‘NESCAC’ designation is an athletics term, but it transcends the athletics facilities and fields. I was always so proud of that. One of the things that was important to me during my career at Hamilton, and as a student-athlete, was that we truly were integrated and representative of the whole student body. We worked really hard to maintain that identity of being a student first at the school who happens to play a sport.”
Aligning with Hind’s emphasis on the proud NESCAC tradition, in addition to supporting special initiatives and priorities within the Athletics Department, the fund will also provide a monetary stipend to the recipient of the Jon Hind ’80 Buff and Blue Award, presented to a graduating student-athlete who demonstrates leadership, sportsmanship, and a willingness to serve the Hamilton athletics community. The recipient is a student-athlete who exemplifies the spirit of being a Hamilton Continental through outstanding citizenship, service to the Hamilton community, and extracurricular engagement during their student-athlete experience.
“Hamilton rejoining NESCAC and demonstrably improving performance on the fields of play are some of the tangible measures of Jon’s substantial contributions to Hamilton Athletics,” Pressman said. “But his most important accomplishment was setting a high ‘values’ bar for all student-athletes at Hamilton. He inspired and passed along a set of standards focused on individuals and teams, community involvement, continuous improvement, and setting big goals for academic and athletics achievement. This award is a terrific recognition of Jon’s lasting impact on Hamilton athletics and an inspiration for athletes far into the future.”
President Steven Tepper acknowledged Hind’s strong values and holistic vision of student-athletes.
“Jon is a person of the highest integrity, sportsmanship, leadership, and character — and he expected those qualities from Hamilton’s coaches and student-athletes. He believed athletics is an extension of a student’s education in the classroom. And it wasn’t just lip service — Jon believed it, he lived it, and he expected his coaches to model it, too.”
Tepper continued, “We do a lot right at Hamilton, and athletics is at the top of the list because of people like Jon. His legacy is one of athletics in proper balance with the academic mission of the College. Jon deserves a place in our Hamilton pantheon for everything he has done for the College and its students. He has been a model college citizen, and he is beloved by so many.”
Hind feels lucky to know how loved he is in the Hamilton community, and the feeling is mutual.
“My closest lifelong friends are all Hamilton graduates, and I don’t think that’s a coincidence,” Hind said. “I think the emphasis on relationships at the College was alive and thriving in the ’70s, and it still reigns supreme at the College, which is wonderful.”
For Hoogkamp, Hind exemplifies the special nature of relationships formed on the Hill.
“Jon is the person that teammates, colleagues, and friends look up to,” Hoogkamp said. “He is serious, dependable, thoughtful, and fun — all at the same time. Most importantly, he always has your back.”
It’s difficult for Hind to name a specific memory with a student-athlete, coach, colleague, or friend that stands out above the rest. He simply is grateful for each and every one of them.
“There are so many moments in a day, in a week, in a year, and then across almost 50 years — those moments of development and growth, moments of being integrated and in community with so many people,” Hind said. “I couldn’t pick just one.”
If you’re interested in making a gift to the Jon Hind Athletics Discretionary Fund, contact Dick Tantillo at rtantill@hamilton.edu or 315-859-4650.
