The Tripod

When former Athletic Director Karl Kurth hired Rick Hazelton as his successor in 1982, Hazelton was quoted in the Tripod as saying, "Most likely, unless I get fired, I'll be here 25 years."

As it turns out, he undershot that figure. A member of the Trinity College athletic department for 36 years and AD for 28, Hazelton has impacted the extracurricular lives of countless students. During his tenure as AD, Hazelton oversaw the inclusion of the NESCAC in NCAA postseason play during the 1993-1994 season; the expansion of the women's athletic program from 10 to 14 varsity sports; and the construction of state-of-the art facilities such as the Friends of Trinity Rowing Boathouse, the Kellner Squash Center, and the Koeppel Community Sports Center.

Trinity athletes have made good use of these facilities during Hazelton's time at the College; the Bantams have won 11 straight national men's squash championships, the 2008 NCAA Division III Baseball College World Series, and two women's rowing varsity eight national titles.

Most recently, in 2009, Hazelton was named an ECAC Administrator of the Year, but amazingly, he intended to watch many of these exciting moments from retirement.

"I've been toying with this for five years, at least," he said. "I had a friend's son come here in 2000 […] and I said he and I would probably leave together in 2004, but then the College finances and the departmental finances were falling apart, and I just couldn't leave at that time. And I'm glad I didn't. I've seen a lot of great women's rowing, and baseball, and squash, and men's rowing, too. So I'm glad I stayed."

But now, he says, the time has finally come for him to step down. With three sons (all of whom attended and played lacrosse at Trinity) and their families in three different time zones, including Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Martha's Vineyard, his priorities have shifted.

"I think it will be nice for him to do something different with his family on a weekend for a change," said Associate Athletic Director Robin Sheppard. Sheppard, Hazelton's second-in-command, started at Trinity with him in 1974. They have both only known two ADs in that time-Kurth, the man who hired them both, and now Hazelton himself. In fact, he is only the third in the past 74 years. Sheppard stressed her desire to see the future Athletic Director follow in that tradition of longevity.

"I think we need to have someone who will be here for 10 years at least; not just use this as a stepping-stone to the Ivies, but someone who wants to stick around for awhile," she said.

When pressed for more information on a potential successor, both administrators steered clear of the topic. "I have no idea. I'm staying out of that," said Hazelton. Sheppard, a logical in-house choice, agreed, offering only, "I don't know if there will be any in-house candidates. At this moment in time, I'm not considering being one of them. I love my position, I like what I do, and I would be excited to help a new person transition in […] I so hope I'm a member of the search committee." The College will begin a nationwide search in January 2010.

Sheppard emphasized the state of the program Hazelton is leaving behind. "He's created a really spectacular across the board, equitable program, successful program, and I think that said, he's going to feel comfortable leaving it where it is."

He is. "Trinity isn't going to fold because of one person. I had a hand in it, but it's the coaches, the athletes, the administrators […] Trinity will be fine," he said.

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