TACOMA, Wash. (Sept. 10, 2024) - Amy Hackett, the longest-serving athletic director in the history of the University of Puget Sound men's and women's athletic program, will retire in December.
In her 21 years heading up the Logger athletic program, Hackett has overseen 23 varsity teams involving nearly a third of all students. Upon arriving at Puget Sound in 2003, Hackett ushered in the organizational structure needed to meet the demands of the university's transition to NCAA Division III. New revenue sources were also created to enhance broader competitive opportunities for student-athletes.
"We are very grateful for Amy's many years of outstanding service to the University of Puget Sound and wish her all the best as she steps into her well-earned retirement," said President Isiaah Crawford.
In her two-decade tenure, Puget Sound has won 36 Northwest Conference titles while competing in more than 110 NCAA championships. Puget Sound is one of only four NWC schools that has captured multiple McIlroy-Lewis All Sports Trophy honors. Among the dozens of standout athletes was Courtney Kjar, Division III female soccer player of the year, and two-time All-American wide receiver A.J. Johnson.
"Amy's long and dedicated leadership to the Athletics Department at Puget Sound has been truly transformational for our students and the campus," said Vice President for Student Affairs Sarah Comstock.
Retired Head Swim Coach Chris Myhre echoed this sentiment.
"Amy Hackett's arrival to Puget Sound paved the way toward continued success for Logger Athletics in the DIII era," Myhre said. "Amy's unwavering and passionate support for the student-athlete experience has created an appealing environment for families. I'm grateful for her outstanding service!"
But success cannot be measured in wins and losses. It is also seen in the personal growth of student-athletes.
"That's the real value of any athletic program," said Hackett. "It's about fostering the development of the student as a whole, knowing that they're going to carry forward the life lessons they learned on the track, field, court, and in the water."
To that end, Hackett successfully developed two major endowments: A $10 million endowment for the Puget Sound Performance Success program, and the $1 million ELEVATE endowment, fostering leadership and wellness for female student-athletes. The athletic program boasts an 82% federal graduation rate, well above the national average for NCAA Division III institutions.
In 2016, she supervised the opening of the $20 million Athletics & Aquatics Center addition, improving and upgrading facilities used by the entire university community. Hackett was involved in the design and development of several other facility projects including enhancements to the baseball complex, as well as the installation of synthetic turf and lights on Lower Baker Field to benefit the university's athletics and recreational programs.
During the unprecedented events of the COVID pandemic, Hackett navigated the department's response, allowing teams to quickly and safely resume practice and competition after the shutdown.
"The resiliency that was shown during the pandemic demonstrated the power and value of the athletics experience for students, coaches, athletic trainers, and staff," Hackett said. "But that's what sports are all about — meeting challenges head-on and growing from the experience."
Hackett has a long history of NCAA committee service including a current appointment to the Division III Nominating Committee, as well as past appointments on the DIII Infractions Committee (chair); the Minority and Opportunities Interests Committee; and the Division I Women's Soccer Committee (chair) during a transformational period for the sport.
Prior to coming to Puget Sound, Hackett served as the associate athletic director at the University of Utah (1996-2003); the associate athletic director at Santa Clara University(1986-1996); and a marketing assistant at the University of Virginia (1986). Hackett began her career in professional baseball for several years before moving to the college setting. Hackett earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University and a Master of Sports Administration from Ohio University.
After more than two decades, Logger athletics remain as robust as ever for some five hundred participants, not to mention for the many students, faculty, and staff who train and play recreationally; for the hundreds of youth who participate in the summer camp programs; and for a loyal community of alumni and fans.
"It's been a privilege being able to celebrate the spirit of Logger athletics with so many dedicated people," Hackett stated. "Over the course of my career, I've been fortunate to witness the pinnacle of the student-athletes' passion for their sport and be part of the journey for nearly 40 years."
