Welcome to the AU Coaches Corner, a weekly feature giving you an inside look into the staff and administration of the Aurora University Athletic Department. This week we feature Jim Hamad, Vice President for Athletics.

Name: Jim Hamad
Position: VP for Athletics
Years of Service at AU: 7+   
Alma Mater (Year): BA from Kent State, 2000, MEd from U of Akron, 2005 
When did you first know that you wanted to be a coach/administrator? I was in my early 20s teaching at-risk students at an inner-city high school and felt I was positively influencing their lives. I knew that I could assist academically under-prepared college athletes, which is the area that I got my start in the profession. 
What coach/administrator has had the biggest impact on your career? At AU - Dr. Lora de Lacey / Before AU - Mike Farabaugh, my supervisor at Pitt 
What do you consider to be your most memorable moment as a coach/administrator? At AU - Elite 8 runs for women's volleyball and women's soccer, and men's basketball upset of Wash U in the NCAA Tournament. Before AU - while at the Pitt, we were 5-6 and upset #1 WVU in Morgantown in the 100th Backyard Brawl. 
What do you consider to be your most memorable moment as an athlete? Competing the 1996 D3 outdoor track & field championships.
If you could have any coach, past or present, as an assistant on your staff for one game, who would it be and why? Al McGuire, I love his wittiness and outlook on life. 
How would you describe your game day demeanor? Confident with a touch of anxiety. 
What advice would you give your athletes today if they want to become a coach/administrator someday? Work hard to earn your stripes, be transparent and genuine, and put the experience of student-athletes at the forefront of every decision. 
Who is the most famous athlete you've ever met? I met many while at D1 schools and working in Malibu, but when I was 12, my buddies and I snuck into old Cleveland Stadium to meet Ken Griffey Jr., who was a rookie. I still have the baseball card he signed for me. Also, my wife's grandfather was a Padres and Yankees legend, and I spent a VIP weekend in Cooperstown when he was induced into the hall of fame. It was a legendary experience. 
If you could coach/manage one professional team for one season, who would it be and why? Any Cleveland professional sports team, I grew up in the area and religiously follow all of them. 
What are some of your hobbies away from coaching/athletics? Family, working out, golf, basketball, traveling, reading, house projects.  
If there was a movie about your life and you could pick any actor to play you who would it be and why? Tom Hardy, we're about the same age and he seems like a cool guy. 
If you weren't coaching/in athletics, what profession would you like to be part of? Working with underprivileged or sick youth. 

Sprint to the Finish - 
• Favorite food: My mom's stuffed peppers
• Favorite TV show or movie: Seinfeld, Peaky Blinders, and the Big Lebowski
• Favorite hobby: Family and working out; other hobbies are on pause because of young kids 
• Favorite sports team: Cleveland Browns
• Pet peeve: Laziness 
• Person I most admire: Larry Mackey, my stepfather who raised my four siblings and me
• Person I'd most like to meet: Bob Dylan
• Rather ride or drive? Drive
• Salad or dessert: Salad
• Dream vacation spot: Any all-inclusive resort on a Mediterranean beach 
• Early morning or late-night? Early morning