Ed Hoffmeyer stepping down as Tusculum Athletic Director

hoffmeyer.jpgEd Hoffmeyer has announced he will be stepping down as Director of Athletics at Tusculum College effective August 24, 2007 announced acting president Dr. Ed Kormondy. For nearly a decade, Hoffmeyer has guided the Tusculum athletic program into the most successful period in the storied history of Tennessee’s oldest college.

Hoffmeyer will be returning to his alma mater, Mars Hill College, to accept a position outside Athletics.

During his nine years at Tusculum, he has emphasized the term student-athlete, which has resulted in the Pioneers being one of the leaders in the South Atlantic Conference in honorees to the League’s Academic Honor Roll since officially joining the conference in 1998. The Pioneers have enjoyed success both on and off the field, including 15 SAC regular season championships, nine SAC Tournament titles and 20 NCAA Tournament appearances. TC has been honored with 18 SAC Scholar-Athletes, 13 Conference Players of the Year and 15 SAC Freshmen of the Year. Also included are 21 All-Americans and six Academic All-Americans®.

Over the last nine years, Tusculum’s 14 intercollegiate teams have posted a .600 winning percentage, accounting for over 60 winning seasons, the most ever by the TC athletic department in a nine-year period. In all, the Pioneers have won over 1,400 games or matches since 1998. Last year alone, 11 sports tallied winning campaigns.

“I and the Board of Trustees accept this resignation with regret and sadness,” said Dr. Kormondy. “Ed has been a wonderful ambassador for Tusculum and he will be greatly missed. I’m very happy for Ed and Linda and wish them all the best in their future endeavors and thank them for all they have done for our College.”

Tusculum’s athletic facilities have undergone major renovations during Hoffmeyer’s watch. Renovations included: a new press box and grandstand areas for Pioneer Field (football/soccer), an indoor athletic practice facility and field house, and lighted soccer fields on the East end of campus. In 2004, the final construction was completed for Pioneer Park, the 2,400-seat home of Tusculum baseball, giving TC one of the finest venues of its kind in collegiate sports. The J.C. “Red” Edmonds Softball Field also received a facelift with the installation of a state-of-the-art playing surface in 2003 and the installation of lights in the spring of 2006. Coupled with Pioneer Arena (basketball/volleyball) and the Roger M. Nichols Tennis Complex, TC has been blessed to have some of the finest facilities of any small college in the nation.

“This was a decision that hasn’t been made hastily or easily,” said Hoffmeyer. “I have enjoyed my nine years at Tusculum and will always cherish the friendships that have been nurtured during my time here. I wish to thank the Board of Trustees, Presidents Robert Knott, Tom Garland and Dolph Henry, and most recently acting Presidents Angelo Volpe and Ed Kormondy for the opportunity to serve the College as athletic director during a period of growth and accomplishment. I especially wish to thank the outstanding coaches and staff, who I have had the pleasure of working with at Tusculum and for their service to this institution and for their support during my tenure. Tusculum is indeed fortunate to have each and every one of them. I also want to thank the fine student-athletes who have been part of making Tusculum College Athletics so special.”

“There are many factors that make the timing of my decision appropriate,” added Hoffmeyer. “Because of her role as primary care giver for her mother, my wife and I have had to maintain two residences during my tenure at Tusculum. Over the last month, an opportunity presented itself for me to return to my alma mater in a capacity outside of athletics. The chance to move back to the Asheville area and spend more time with my wife is something that I could not pass.”

For eight years (1991-98) he served as athletic director at Mars Hill. Hoffmeyer oversaw a rapid growth in MHC athletics, as the number of varsity sports grew from nine to 16. The Lions claimed four conference titles and boasted 16 South Atlantic Conference scholar-athletes during his tenure. Like Tusculum, he oversaw MHC’s transition into the NCAA from the NAIA in 1991.

After 20 years in private business, the 1968 Mars Hill graduate returned to his alma mater in 1988 where he served as Alumni Director for three years before accepting the athletic director’s post.

“I especially wish to thank Scott Niswonger for his support not only of the athletic department but for his support of the College,” said Hoffmeyer. “He has allowed us to dream and continue to provide opportunities for many young people to experience the joy of athletic competition in a college environment.”

Hoffmeyer has been active on a number of national and regional athletic committees. He has served as national chair of the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championship Committee. He has been a member of the NCAA Division II Athletic Directors Association’s Board of Directors and served as chairman of the South Atlantic Conference Athletic Directors Council. He was also on the NCAA II Football Southeast Region Selection Committee. In 1994, he was honored as a member of Who’s Who in Global Business.

Hoffmeyer also served as men’s golf coach at Mars Hill. His 1997-98 linksters set a school record with a 111-61 mark and for his efforts, was honored as SAC Golf Coach of the Year.

While a student-athlete at Mars Hill, Hoffmeyer was a member of the Lions’ track and field team, where he ran the intermediate hurdles, 440-yard dash and was on the two relay teams. He also lettered one season on the Mars Hill basketball team.

He and his wife, Linda, are the parents of two children, Courtney, a graduate from Mars Hill College, and Zac, who was a four-year letterman on the Pioneer men’s golf team. The Hoffmeyers also have a granddaughter, Aliyah, 8 and a grandson, Will, 1.

Dr. Kormondy indicated he would be naming an interim athletic director soon and that a national search would follow to name a permanent athletic director.

Tusculum College, located in Greeneville, Tenn., is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference which is comprised of nine colleges and universities in Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.