Staff Directory
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- Phone:
- 816-235-5309
He joined the Kangaroos staff after serving for two years as the head men's and women's track and field coach at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. Hamilton represented Benedictine as a member of the games committee for the 2003 NAIA National Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.
Hamilton's collegiate career began at Jefferson State (Ala.) Junior College where he was a junior college national long jump champion both indoors and outdoors in 1973. After transferring to Kansas in 1973, Hamilton quickly established himself as one of the best long and triple jumpers in Jayhawk history. After winning the USTFF National outdoor long jump championship in 1974, he earned a place in the University of Kansas Athletics Hall of Fame in 1975 by becoming the NCAA indoor long jump champion with a mark of 26' 7 1/4", which still stands as KU's all-time indoor record. That same year he became the Big Eight Conference long jump record holder at the conference's outdoor championships, recording a jump of 26' 2 3/4".
After earning a bachelor of science degree in physical education and recreation from Kansas in 1976, Hamilton joined the Jayhawks' coaching staff as an assistant, a position he held for eight years. Among his accomplishments were coaching NCAA all-American Halcyon McKnight (long jump) and national champion Sheila Calmese (100 meters). Hamilton also remained competitive as he placed fourth at the 1976 U.S. Olympic Trials.
From 1980-82, Hamilton served as Kansas' head women's cross country and distance coach. He then accepted a position at the University of Virginia, where he served as an assistant from 1983-85. From Virginia, Hamilton took a similar position at the University of Tennessee until 1988 before returning to Kansas.
Upon his return to the midwest, Hamilton coached many athletes who received national recognition. He coached Olympian Pierre Lisk, who competed in the 1996 Games at Atlanta.
Hamilton then moved on to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo., where he served one year as assistant head coach, tutoring the men's and women's sprinters and horizontal jumpers.
Recognized on a national level, Hamilton also coached at the 1990 U.S. Olympic Festival and the 1991 World Indoor Championships. He was selected as Long Jump Chairman for men's USA Track and Field Development in 1998.
Hamilton and his wife, Cheryl, have a daughter, Jaunelle.
