BUFFALO, N.Y. - D'Youville University President, Dr. Lorrie Clemo and the Executive Director of Athletics, Ona Halladay, have named Dr. Matt Hamilton as Faculty Athletics Representative.

The role of the faculty athletics representative is an essential partner of the chief executive officer in protecting the centrality of the academic enterprise at the institution they are associated with. Dr. Hamilton will be responsible for ensuring NCAA best practices are used to support our student-athlete's academic pursuits while also achieving athletically and engaging with our community.

"D'Youville University attracts student-athletes who are passionate about excelling both in competition as well as the classroom and we are committed to ensuring this success," says President Lorrie Clemo, PhD. "The Faculty Athletics Representative is integral in helping to deliver on this commitment and I am confident that Dr. Hamilton will do just that."

Dr. Hamilton is currently an Associate Professor in the Exercise and Sports Studies program and has been with D'Youville since the start of the 2010-2011 academic year. While at D'Youville, Dr. Hamilton earned his Doctor of Education in Health Policy and Health Education in 2016. Dr. Hamilton also earned a Master of Science in Health and Human Performance from Canisius University in 2007 while also serving as a graduate assistant. Prior to Canisius, Dr. Hamilton earned a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the State University of New York at Cortland in 2005.

Dr. Hamilton is no stranger when it comes to collegiate athletics, serving as an athletic training graduate assistant for two years before becoming a full-time athletic trainer at Canisius in the spring of 2007. Dr. Hamilton worked closely with the men's soccer, baseball, and synchronized swimming teams from 2005-09. During the 2009-10 academic year, Dr. Hamilton worked with the men's soccer and basketball teams.

"Athletics, in my opinion, is an integral part of the student's success and experience when coming to a university," said Dr. Hamilton. "Anything that I can do to help that experience is important for me. Whether that is duties as the FAR or assisting students and staff members anyway that I can. Athletics has been a big part of my life for a long time, and I am passionate about."

Dr. Hamilton is well-recognized and well-respected at both D'Youville University and in the athletic training and exercise and sports studies field. Dr. Hamilton is a five-time Exercise and Sports Studies Faculty Member of the Year as well as receiving D'Youville University Faculty Member of the Year.

"We are thrilled to have Matt Hamilton assume the critical role of faculty athletics representative at D'Youville," Halladay said. "As the newly appointed FAR, Matt will provide great leadership and support for our student-athletes to ensure that academic success remains a top priority at DYU."