Hempstead, NY - Now in his sixth year, Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeffrey Hathaway has elected to move on from his position at Hofstra. To provide for the opportunity for a successful transition, we have identified June 30, 2018 as the outside date for this change.
"Jeff Hathaway's experience and leadership were key components of Hofstra's success over the past five years. I thank Jeff for all his efforts on behalf of Hofstra University and the Department of Athletics, and I wish him much success in the future," said Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz.
Under Hathaway's direction, Hofstra Pride teams have made 16 post-season appearances, including 12 NCAA Tournaments, and captured 10 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) regular season titles. Student-athletes received 21 CAA Player of the Year awards; 15 CAA Scholar-Athletes of the Year awards and 9 CAA Rookie of the Year awards. In addition, the Pride produced 12 All-Americans and 7 Academic All-Americans. While Hathaway was the athletic director, 6 Hofstra Pride coaches were named CAA Coach of the Year.
Hofstra's 316 student-athletes set an Athletic Department record with the highest single semester average GPA (grade point average) of 3.3 during the 2016 fall semester and the highest academic year average GPA of 3.29 during 2016-17. During 2015-16, the NCAA reported a school record 13 Hofstra teams (out of the 17 teams that Hofstra sponsors) had perfect 1000 single year scores in the NCAA Academic Progress Rates. Hathaway oversaw the opening of the new Hofstra Basketball Practice Facility in 2013 and presided over the return of the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Quarterfinals to Hofstra. The University also served as the host institution for the 2016 NCAA Wrestling Championships at Madison Square Garden.
"Thanks in no small measure to Jeff's leadership, the Hofstra Pride has a strong foundation, excellent professional staff and unparalleled facilities," said President Rabinowitz. "All 17 of our teams compete on a national level, and are positioned for more success. His commitment to institutional integrity, academic excellence, competitive success and the well-being of our student-athletes is highly regarded on our campus and nationally. We will begin a national search shortly for an athletic director who can continue Hofstra's tradition of athletic and scholarly excellence. In the meantime, I ask you to join me in thanking Jeff Hathaway for his service to Hofstra University."
"President Rabinowitz and I have worked closely together over the past 5 years to ensure the integrity of our athletic program while providing the foundation for our student-athletes to enjoy great success in the classroom and the competitive venues and preparing them to be successful in their lives after Hofstra," stated Hathaway. "Working together we have made certain that Hofstra athletics attracts, celebrates and ultimately reflects the ideal of being a student-athlete and that this objective is exhibited in the quality, character and dedication of our coaches and staff. Our extraordinary student-athletes' developments have been measured not only by the competitive success of our teams, but also by their academic accomplishments and their assistance in the communities that surround the University. I'm extremely proud to have been able to observe, encourage and applaud all these tremendous successes in our program. With the infrastructure of the athletic program firmly in place for continued success, I know it's the right time to move forward with my desire for new challenges and different experiences. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Hofstra. It's an honor and pleasure to be part of the Hofstra community and work in the private education environment. I am very appreciative of the opportunity to work closely with President Rabinowitz and deeply grateful to our outstanding student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni, donors and my University colleagues."
"I cherish the relationships that I've established at Hofstra and remain fully focused on my commitment to Hofstra University and the entire Department of Athletics – and most importantly to our student-athletes in striving to make 2017-18 our best ever."
Hathaway was recently named to the Commission on College Basketball by NCAA President Mark Emmert. He is a past Chair of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee. Currently Hathaway also serves on the inaugural NCAA Council as the Colonial Athletic Association representative and is the Chair of the NCAA Men's Basketball Oversight Committee and a member of the Council Coordination Committee. He is a three-time Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year Award recipient, earning the honor in 2006-07, 2009-10 and 2014-15.
The search for a new athletic director will begin shortly.
