Ethan Hamilton, who rose from a student assistant on the Point Loma Nazarene University men’s basketball team to run his alma mater’s athletic department, died Thursday night following a battle with leukemia. He was 48.
Hamilton guided PLNU from NAIA to NCAA Division II a decade ago, and the Sea Lions quickly became a D-II power, reaching the NCAA championship game in men’s basketball in 2019 and winning the school’s first NCAA title in women’s soccer in last December. In the past academic year, five PLNU teams claimed PacWest titles and eight reached the NCAA postseason.
But Hamilton was known for more than PLNU’s rapid ascension on courts and fields. He was active in the San Diego Sports Association and widely respected across the greater sports community.
“I was shocked,” former Padres co-owner and chairman Ron Fowler said Saturday morning, pausing to gather his emotions. “He was probably one of the nicest young men I’ve ever met. Great family, great values. … He was a very good AD. I know the coaches enjoyed working for him. The athletes enjoyed working with him. I’ve never heard a negative thing about him from anybody.
“I don’t know of a finer guy I’ve met. He had a drive in him, exceptionally professional. It’s a big loss not only to his family and Point Loma Nazarene, but the city of San Diego.”
Former Oregon Athletic Director and Lucky Duck Foundation co-founder Pat Kilkenny, now a Rancho Santa Fe resident, served as a mentor to Hamilton and became close friends with his family.
“I had breakfast with him last week,” Kilkenny said. “He didn’t smoke. Didn’t drink. He was physically fit. He looked like the picture of health. He was completely healthy 10 days ago, as far as I knew. I’m shocked.”
“Ethan was one of the really kind and special people. I admired him a lot. … I got to know him personally and professionally. Outstanding husband and father. Cared greatly about the people he worked around.
“He was just one of those people, any time I was around him, I wanted to be a better person because of the person he was.”
SDSU Athletic Director John David Wicker knew Hamilton well and regularly consulted with him on the challenges facing university athletic departments.
“I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Ethan,” Wicker said. “He was an amazing leader for PLNU athletics and within the San Diego sports community.”
Hamilton oversaw the redesign of PLNU’s athletics logo and color scheme while creating partnerships with Nike and BSN Sports. He was one of 12 ADs to serve in the NCAA Mentoring Program for aspiring athletic directors and was a key figure in shaping the PacWest Conference. Division I universities regularly courted him for jobs.
“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. …
“Ethan will be greatly missed as a friend and colleague. Our prayers continue for his wife and children.”
Hamilton, having coached college basketball himself, had a keen eye for hiring head coaches. Ryan Looney and Matt Logie both were instantly successful with PLNU and hired away by Division I programs.
To replace Logie, who left for Montana State last year, Hamilton saw something in young Sea Lions assistant Justin Downer and elevated him to head coach.
“Ethan meant so much to me and our community,” Downer said. “He was an outstanding leader, mentor and friend to many. No one exemplified more what it means to be a Sea Lion and a part of PLNU. His leadership in our community, in our department and in our program cannot be understated.
“I’ll remember him as a servant leader, a warrior for Christ and a standard of excellence throughout all of college athletics. I will do my best to honor him and his legacy, and his impact will continue to live on through others for decades to come.”
Before taking over as AD in 2009, Hamilton spent three seasons as the head men’s basketball coach. He was an assistant coach for the Sea Lions for three seasons before that, all while serving as the school’s associate athletic director.
Hamilton served as a student assistant with the PLNU men’s basketball team before graduating in 1997. He earned a master’s degree from Cal State San Bernardino as well as coaching at Azusa Pacific and UC Riverside.
Hamilton was a family man first, identifying himself as “husband, Dad and Athletic Director” on his social media account. He is survived by his wife Andrea and their two children, Lily and Elijah.
A memorial service will be held July 28 at 3 p.m. at Horizon Christian Fellowship in Rancho Santa Fe.
Union-Tribune columnist Bryce Miller contributed to this story.
