Randolph College Names Hill New Athletic Director

Former Cornell College AD Succeeds Interim Somers

May 28, 2008

LYNCHBURG, Va. --- Randolph College announced today that it has selected Tina Hill, former director of athletics at Cornell College in Iowa, as Randolph College's new athletic director. 

Hill will succeed Heather Somers who served as interim athletic director for 2007-08, following the departure of Val Cushman to Washington & Lee University in September 2007.   

"Tina Hill's credentials attracted our attention very early in our review process," said Ron Gettinger, chair of the search committee and professor of biology.  "She has the kind of experience in athletic administration that we wanted, the right philosophy concerning academics and athletics, the respect of her colleagues, and the confidence and energy that we need as the director of our athletic program."

"Ms. Hill was impressive on paper and even more impressive in person," Gettinger added. "She is an exceptional fit for Randolph College."

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a B.S. in physical education, Hill worked in municipal recreation administration. She subsequently earned an M.S. in sports management from the University of Richmond. She has served in athletic administration and as volleyball coach at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania and as associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator at California Lutheran University. Her most recent position was director of athletics position at Cornell College in Iowa.

"I'm thrilled to be chosen to serve the Randolph community as the next director of athletics," Hill said Wednesday.  "I was attracted to the position, not only because of the excitement that new programs and venues provide, but also for the solid foundation and terrific staff and students that are already in place."

Randolph's intercollegiate athletics teams compete in the NCAA Division III Old Dominion Athletic Conference, one of the most competitive in the country. Randolph's nationally recognized riding program has won three ODAC championships since 2002. Female athletes compete in basketball, cross country, riding, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball, and, beginning in 2009, lacrosse.  Male athletes compete in cross country, soccer, tennis, basketball, riding, and, beginning in 2008, lacrosse.

"Our search for a new athletic director attracted a great deal of interest, and we were pleased to have so many qualified candidates from which to choose," said John E. Klein, president.  "We are very fortunate to have been able to attract Tina Hill, who will help build our Division III WildCat athletic program as we move into our second year of coeducation and beyond."

For Hill, helping student athletes balance and achieve excellence both in the classroom and on the playing field is a priority.

"I am excited about the future of Randolph College, and I have no doubt this college will continue both its tradition of academic excellence and history of providing a strong Division III athletics program," Hill said. "Not only will we recruit students that will be prepared to be successful in the classroom, but they will be poised to make a positive impact on the campus community and will make us regular contenders for ODAC championships. It's my goal that WildCat pride and community spirit will be felt long after graduation."

This release is courtesy of the Randolph College sports information department.