Sep 22, 2016PSU Adds New Position
Penn State has announced the appointment of David Hamilton as Assistant Athletic Director for Applied Health and Performance Science.
Hamilton is charged with establishing and leading a world class applied health and performance science program with a goal of optimizing the health and performance of Penn State’s 800 student-athletes. In the newly created sports science position, he will work closely with the Nittany Lions’ medical, athletic training, performance enhancement, sports psychology and sports nutrition staffs and student-athletes.
“We’re ecstatic that Dave Hamilton is joining the Penn State family,” said Sandy Barbour, Penn State Director of Athletics. “His expertise, education, and experience in working with elite student-athletes, along with the collaboration with our coaches and Sport Performance teams, will take our care and performance to the next level.
“Penn State has always been at the cutting edge of student welfare and performance, and Dave’s addition will continue to build on that tradition,” Barbour added. “Dave’s involvement will help us to deepen and broaden our collaborations with Penn State’s world class academic units, whose work in these areas benefit our students, student-athletes and community.”
“I am very excited and grateful to have this opportunity to join Penn State Athletics and be a part of such a prestigious institution and athletic department,” Hamilton said. “I look forward to bringing the skills and experiences that I have developed in high-performance sport and working with some of the best coaches and student-athletes in the nation.”
Hamilton comes to Penn State after serving as the Director of Performance Science with USA Field Hockey since 2013. In his role, he led the integration of all Sports Science and medicine for the USA Men’s and Women’s National Field Hockey Teams. USA Field Hockey’s world ranking has improved from 10th to fifth during Hamilton’s three years.
Prior to working with USA Field Hockey, Hamilton served as head of strength and conditioning with the English Institute of Sport, working with the Great Britain and England’s Women’s (Field) Hockey Team from 2009-13. The team’s world ranking improved from No. 8 to No. 3 during his tenure. During Hamilton’s career in high performance he has programmed for athletic levels ranging from the elite youth to world and Olympic medalists.
Hamilton has served as a consultant and presented to numerous professional and amateur sports organizations, including the Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Flyers, University of Michigan and a variety of rugby and cricket organizations, including the Manchester United Football Club.
From Durham, England, Hamilton recently was presented the prestigious Doc Councilman Science Award from the United States Olympic Committee in acknowledgement of his innovative scientific techniques within his coaching methods. Hamilton also was nominated for the USOC’s Coach of the Year Award in 2014.
Hamilton has a bachelor’s degree in sports science from DeMontfort University in Bedford, England. He earned a master’s in exercise science, graduating with higher distinction, from Australia’s Edith Cowen University. Hamilton also has been a member of the PhD Advisory Committee, Sport Physiology and Sports Performance, at East Tennessee State University.
Hamilton will begin his duties at Penn State in mid-October.