Posted on Fri, May. 02, 2008

JACKSON -- Darren Hamilton doesn't believe in slow starts.

The new Alcorn State athletic director set a goal of $250,000 in his first 90 days on the job and has been tirelessly fundraising since taking over April 1. No one has been immune to his request for a $250 check, including his new boss, President George Ross.

"I think it's a great and ambitious goal and I've already written my $250 check," Ross said. "And I'll ask my wife to do it and our daughters to do it. He's got four checks already. He's only got 996 to go."

Hamilton believes his gimmick - it only takes 1,000 people who care about the Braves to meet the goal - will pay off for the cash-strapped athletic department.

"It makes a monumental amount appear doable in such a short period of time," Hamilton said.

Hamilton also is searching for a new men's basketball coach after firing Samuel West just one day into his new administration. He says he could have the new coach named soon.

He's meeting with coaches, athletes, administrators, alumni and donors. He's letting them know about his plans, and also letting them know how they can help.

The scholarship and travel funds need propping up, facility and dormitory upgrades are well behind where they need to be to lure quality athletes, and relationships between alumni and the athletic department need to be rebuilt.

"External funding is certainly the key to keeping your department afloat and competitive, and that's what I've put my charge towards," Hamilton said.

Hamilton, a 44-year-old father of three daughters, was a Penn State wide receiver who twice played for a national championship, winning in 1982. He's worked in the athletic departments at Penn State, Cheyney State, Bowling Green State and Duke.

He served as athletic director for one year each at Chicago State and Eastern Washington, where he resigned last March after finding the job was not a good fit.

He believes he has the experience and tools to make Alcorn State's athletic programs relevant again.

"When you look at the history of Alcorn State, they had a slogan: 'Home of champions and scholars,"' Hamilton said. "This is a school that had a rich foundation to build upon."

The realization that change was needed came quickly to Ross, who took over in January after a delay of several months for cancer treatment. It's obvious the programs have not had the kind of funding needed to thrive and he believes Hamilton has the skills to complete that rebuilding job.

"I think there's all the potential in the world here at Alcorn, based on it's history, but we've got some work to do," he said. "But I'm optimistic we're going to get it done."

Hamilton says he views his job as more calling than occupation. He believes good can be done in many ways from the athletic director's office.

"When I evaluate a school, I always evaluate whether I can make a difference in kids' lives," Hamilton said. "I was an at-risk kid and I always wanted to give back to what made me who I am today, and that definitely was my athletic ability."