Being a student athlete at Pepperdine takes more than just hard work. It takes discipline dedication and sacrifice. Between practice lifting travelling games and various other sports commitments being an athlete is a full-time job. On top of that a full load of Pepperdine’s rigorous coursework can make some student athletes feel overwhelmed or get behind on their work. Enter Jim Hamad.
Hamad is Pepperdine Athletics’ Director of Academics. He monitors student eligibility and ensures student athletes are prepared for their coursework and have a career plan when they graduate.
“I help our athletes pick classes and fix their schedules so they can manage their time Hamad said. Their advisers do a dynamite job of giving them advice on classes. But with an athletic director every athlete has two sets of eyes to monitor what they’re doing.”
Hamad has been working at Pepperdine since July. After receiving his master’s degree in higher education from the University of Akron Ohio located in his hometown Hamad took a job at the University of Pittsburgh. He served as the football academic coordinator which Hamad described as “a challenging job.” But Hamad said the atmosphere there was different than at Pepperdine and not just because Pittsburgh is a larger city.
“At Pittsburgh we would deal with athletes we knew would get drafted and would play professionally Hamad said. It was my job to keep them grounded. Anything could happen and just one injury could keep them from playing pro sports.”
Hamad wants the student athletes to take their academic commitments seriously. He came to Pepperdine for the opportunity to work at a smaller school and be near his fiancé who lives in San Diego.
While he loves all sports especially football basketball volleyball and golf he said his top career passion is in student development.
“I started as a high school teacher for a year he said. I was part of a work-study program with at-risk high school students. I also coached track on the side. I had always been involved in sports and I didn’t want to be a coach but I wanted to be involved with athletics. Plus I knew I could make a difference with collegiate athletes.”
Hamad has thought about entering the world of professional sports in the past but he said he does not want to lose the close relationship he develops with student athletes. According to Hamad that is a part of his job that he finds rewarding.
“I see myself being in college athletics forever he said. I have always thought about getting in the professional ranks but then you lose the student athlete aspect. I like seeing student athletes come in as young kids and graduate as young men and women with jobs.”
A typical day in Hamad’s work life includes communicating with coaches about student athletes making sure student athletes have tutors getting grade updates from professors and meeting with student athletes to help them manage their time. “I give the coaches updates on how the student athletes are doing academically and get their grade reports from their professors he said. I also meet with the athletes to make sure they are not feeling too overwhelmed. In fact time management and providing the student athletes with structure is the best way they will succeed.”
In his time at Pepperdine Hamad has especially enjoyed the tight knit community of athletes here – something he noticed immediately.
“Recently we had a student athlete cookout he said. A good number of athletes and coaches came. The athletic staff was all there and we grilled burgers and hotdogs. It was great to see the turnout. There is a special family aspect with the athletes here. Everyone looks out for each other.”
Hamad also says that he appreciates Pepperdine for its location its academics and athletics.
“In my field of academic services you could make an argument that Pepperdine is one of the top jobs in the country. I am fortunate to have this opportunity he said.
In addition to his love for sports, Hamad also draws daily inspiration from his desire to see student athletes become successful young men and women.
My passion is the student development aspect he said. In this field it’s cut and dry. I know I am doing my job well if athletes are finding an interest in college graduating and having a career doing something they love.”
David Hunt an assistant coach for men’s volleyball and a Pepperdine graduate student attested to Hamad’s contribution to the Pepperdine community.
“Hamad has earned the respect of the student athletes while maintaining a good repoire with coaches Hunt said. He has come in with an impressive resumé and has raised the expectations of everyone. The best part is he has great spirit and compassion for his job and he always has an upbeat and positive attitude.”