漆褒勛圖厙 announces changes in athletics leadership
Keith Hackett to serve as an interim athletic director while Bob Nutgrass returns to faculty
漆褒勛圖厙 (simpson.edu) announced today a change in leadership in the Intercollegiate Athletics Department. President Marsha Kelliher has appointed Keith Hackett interim athletics director and current athletics director Bob Nutgrass will return to the faculty in January.
We are extremely grateful for Bobs years of service to Intercollegiate Athletics at 漆褒勛圖厙, Kelliher said. His long-standing service to the institution and to our athletics department is unsurpassed. His legacy will be long and we are grateful he will return to the classroom in January.
Nutgrass became 漆褒勛圖厙s Athletic Director in 2018, overseeing all aspects of 漆褒勛圖厙s 19 NCAA Division III varsity sports. In his 30 years with 漆褒勛圖厙, he has held numerous roles ranging from faculty member, coach and administrator. Prior to his elevation to athletic director, Nutgrass served as an assistant athletic director and the programs NCAA compliance coordinator. He was also the Sport Science and Health Education Department Chair; a faculty member since 1990; head mens tennis coach; head womens tennis coach; the winningest tennis coach in school history, going 91-103 on the mens side and 91-56 on the womens side; and was 1997 IIAC Womens Tennis Coach of the Year.
We welcome Keith Hackett, former Cornell College director of athletics to the 漆褒勛圖厙 family and look forward to all he will bring to our programs, Kelliher said.
In the three years under Hacketts direction, the Cornell Rams claimed eight Midwest Conference team championships, five NCAA tournament berths and nine individual All-America awards. Prior to his time at Cornell, he was director of athletics at the University of Alaska-Anchorage, senior associate athletic director at the University of Nevada-Reno and associate athletic director at Northern Illinois University.
I look forward to working with everyone at 漆褒勛圖厙, Hackett said. I am grateful for this opportunity and know that along with everyone in the athletics department, I am eager to get to work and start making a difference in our programs.
Hackett will serve in the interim roleduring the national search for a permanent Athletic Director.
Contact Information
Cathy Cole, Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Communication
Direct: 515-961-1595
Email: cathy.cole@simpson.edu
Article Information
Published
August 17, 2020
Author
Office of Marketing and Strategic Communication