Hamilton named to finance position

FAYETTEVILLE — Clayton Hamilton has been named associate athletic director for finance it was announced by University of Arkansas Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long on Tuesday. Hamilton, previously an associate athletic director at the University of Colorado, will replace Tom Dorre, longtime University of Arkansas and athletic department administrator who is retiring after more than 42 years on Jan. 31, 2010. Hamilton will join the athletic department after the start of the year and will work with Dorre in the transition throughout the month of January.

Hamilton is a University of Arkansas graduate and has worked at a pair of Bowl Championship Subdivision schools (Colorado and Florida State) as well as in the private sector. Hamilton will serve as the chief financial officer (CFO) for the Razorback Athletic Department that includes 19 sports and an annual budget of $57 million.

"We are pleased to welcome Clayton back home to Arkansas for this key administrative position in our athletic department," Long said. "Clayton’s experience at Colorado and Florida State gives him a keen understanding of the financial issues that impact intercollegiate athletics. As the financing of intercollegiate athletics programs becomes increasingly more complex, it is imperative that we operate in a responsible manner making efficient use of all available fiscal and human resources. Clayton is a great addition to our department and will help us chart the financial future for the Razorback program."

Hamilton has spent the past two and a half years as an associate athletic director at the University of Colorado where he oversaw business operations, accounting, human resources and information technology support functions for the entire department. Hamilton also supervised the budgeting process for the Buffaloes’ 16 sport programs with an annual department budget of more than $46 million.

Prior to his stint at Colorado, Hamilton spent five and a half years at Florida State University, where he advanced through various financial roles to the position of assistant athletic director, a position he served in until June 2007. While at Florida State, Hamilton served on the department’s executive staff and was responsible for the oversight of business operations, accounting and information technology for a department that included 19 sports and an annual budget of more than $50 million.

Hamilton is a member of the College Athletics Business Managers Association, an organization he served as president in 2008-09. The organization named him rookie of the year in 2003-04 while he earned the business manager of the year award in 2007-08.

In addition to his financial experience in intercollegiate athletics, Hamilton worked in the private sector for Little Rock based ALLTEL Corporation, and as an assistant controller for the Dallas Cowboys.

"I certainly am excited about the opportunity to return to the University of Arkansas," Hamilton said. "As a native Arkansan and alumnus of the University, I understand the great passion and pride fans and supporters have for this program. I look forward to working with Jeff, our coaches, and staff to provide the resources to fully support our student-athletes and continue building upon the success of Razorback Athletics."

Hamilton graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s of science in business administration and accounting in May 1994. He earned a master’s degree in sports administration from the United States Sports Academy in June 1997, and received his CPA certification in October 1998. Hamilton and his wife Stephanie have two daughters, Lauren and Caylee.