Hoffmeyer Named TC Athletic Director

Tusculum College announced Friday, August 28, that Ed Hoffmeyer has been named as the school's new athletic director. Hoffmeyer has spent the last seven-plus years as the athletic director at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina.

Hoffmeyer oversaw a rapid growth in athletics during his Mars Hill tenure, as the number of varsity sports grew from nine to sixteen. The Lions added women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, women's lacrosse, men's and women's track and field, and men's golf. Also, Mars Hill claimed four South Atlantic Conference titles and over ten SAC scholar-athletes during that span.

The Mars Hill athletic program has also undergone a period of facility improvement. Hoffmeyer oversaw the renovation of the gymnasium, and helped acquire the Ponder Practice Fields for the use of football and soccer. He has also been involved in the initial improvements to the Lion's tennis complex.

He also served as Mars Hill's men's golf coach for three seasons and as the institution's NCAA compliance officer. His 1997-98 golf squad set a school record with a 111-61 mark and Hoffmeyer was honored as the SAC's "Golf Coach of the Year."

The 1968 graduate of Mars Hill is active on a number of national and regional committees. He is currently a member of the NCAA Division II South Region Football Committee and a member of the Division II Athletic Directors Association's Board of Directors. Hoffmeyer previously served as the chairman of the South Atlantic Conference Athletic Directors Council from June 1996 to June 1998.

Tusculum College president Dr. Robert Knott praised the new appointee. "We at Tusculum College are genuinely excited with the decision of Ed Hoffmeyer to assume the position of athletic director. I have personally known Ed for a number of years and am very familiar with the work he has done as athletic director at Mars Hill College. Ed is respected throughout the South Atlantic Conference and brings to Tusculum College a philosophy of education for student-athletes which will extend and enrich the educational and athletic opportunities for all our participants at Tusculum College. We are fortunate indeed to have Ed Hoffmeyer joining the Tusculum College community."

Hoffmeyer expressed his excitement about the Tusculum College athletic program and the Greeneville community. "I thank Dr. Knott and the selection committee for this opportunity. My predecessor, Dr. Jim Fields, did a fine job of assembling a staff and setting the course for Tusculum College athletics through membership in the South Atlantic Conference. I look forward to working with each coach and student-athlete at TC."

Tusculum College has a rich tradition of success at the NAIA level and I see no reason why we cannot continue that success into the NCAA and South Atlantic Conference," continued Hoffmeyer. "I am excited to become a part of the Greeneville community and will work hard to strengthen our relationship with the community."

"Ed Hoffmeyer has done an excellent job in building the athletic program at Mars Hill College," stated Mars Hill president Dr. Max Lennon. "The win-loss records are impressive and the academic records of the student-athletes have extraordinarily good. Ed will be keenly missed at Mars Hill College," said Lennon.

Hoffmeyer will take over an athletic program that has made great strides in recent years. The Pioneers have recently moved to the NCAA Division II level and became the South Atlantic Conference's ninth member in July. The Pioneers have also made significant improvements in their athletic facilities. Alpine Arena, a 2,000 seat basketball and volleyball gymnasium, that is a part of the larger Niswonger Commons complex opened in January 1998. Improved locker rooms and athletic training areas are also founded in the new arena. Currently, renovations are being made to Pioneer Field, the home of TC football and soccer teams.

The new athletic director has unique experience to help guide the Pioneers through their initial seasons at the Division II level, as
Hoffmeyer helped Mars Hill's transition into the NCAA from the NAIA in 1991. He will begin his duties at Tusculum in mid-September.