TicketsDec. 13, 2006
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Dr. Nancy Hamant will retire from the in February, bringing to a close 21 years of service as UC's Faculty Athletics Representative and over a quarter century of representing the university's academic interests in its athletics program.
During her tenure, Dr. Hamant has been part of 48 conference titles, 41 postseason tournament appearances and five bowl games. She has witnessed 116 All-Americans, 41 Academic All-Americans and two individual national champions. She has provided consult to seven athletics directors and three university presidents.
As a testament to her leadership and her professional devotion both to her role as faculty representative and her work as an educator, an entire floor in the new Richard E. Lindner Center is named in her honor--the Nancy Hamant Academics Center.
A lifelong Cincinnatian who earned her bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees at the , Dr. Hamant joined the UC faculty in 1964. She is currently Associate Professor and Coordinator of Professional Experiences in UC's , where she helps prepare future educators.
"I've got a lot of great memories," stated Dr. Hamant. "Going to the Final Four and going on that first bowl trip after 50 years and playing on that blue turf are some of the top events. My real memories are of all of the personalities--the coaches, ADs and in particular the students. Those are what I will remember most."
In the mid-1970s, Dr. Hamant expressed interest in helping advise UC athletics that let to her appointment on the Athletics Advisory Committee. In 1978, Dr. Hamant was appointed Chair of UC's Athletics Advisory Committee (now the Athletics Policy and Planning Committee), a group of UC educators and administrators who advise the UC Department of Athletics with particular attention paid to the student-athletes.
In 1986, Dr. Hamant succeeded Dr. Gordon Skinner as Faculty Representative.
Faculty representative, more correctly titled faculty athletics representative, is largely an unknown position and the holders of these titles may truly be the unsung heroes of athletics departments.
There is evidence throughout the NCAA's existence of faculty representation in its governance structure. The NCAA requires each institution to designate a faculty representative. It requires that the faculty representative be a member of the university's faculty and specifies that there is no involvement in coaching. Other than that it puts the responsibility of defining the faculty rep's role on each institution.
Bottom line--every institution has one. They usually do not receive media coverage unless there is a problem with a rules violation or eligibility question.
Dr. Hamant has helped steer UC's athletics program through its share of problems. She became chair of the Athletics Advisory Committee in 1978 in the wake of an NCAA investigation and subsequent probation and helped steer UC through NCAA issues in 1988 and 1998.
Problems with the NCAA attract headlines. Operating smoothly within the labyrinth of rules and regulations too often does not. Dr. Hamant takes pride in the fact that UC was certified without conditions the first time the university underwent the NCAA-mandated certification process required periodically of all athletics programs, and notes that the re-certification process currently taking place is proceeding without evidence of any questions.
The addition of the women's sports and the growth of the sports programs in general are the biggest changes Dr. Hamant has witnessed, which has made the role of the faculty representative much more active in the administration of intercollegiate athletics.
"Division I athletics have become more and more demanding which has created an increased imposition on the student-athletes time" Hamant explained. "Faculty reps are playing a much more active role in eligibility and student-athlete welfare."
While Dr. Hamant's official duties for UC athletics will come to an end her interest in the sports program is certain to continue. She and husband will continue to follow the teams.
" may be retiring but she will always be a proud Bearcat through and through" stated UC President Dr. Nancy Zimpher. "UC has been truly fortunate that she has been willing to give so selflessly of her time for such an important and sometimes challenging capacity."
Dr. Nancy R. Hamant
Assoc. Professor,
Faculty Athletics Representative
1964 Appointed to the UC Faculty
1975 Appointed to the Athletics Advisory Committee
1978 Chair, UC Athletics Advisory Committee
1986 Faculty Athletics Representative
NCAA Committees:
Postgraduate Scholarship Committee
Division I Management Council
Bachelor's, Master's, PhD,