Bio

A 1968 graduate of Hobart, Mike Hanna became the College’s athletics director in 1981. He has piloted the athletics program to new heights through unprecedented championships in lacrosse, to today’s department-wide success.

In an effort to enhance Hobart student-athletes’ leadership skills both on and off the field, Hanna started the Napier Leadership Seminar. Initiated in 1996-97, participants meet throughout the year to discuss leadership issues and to learn from featured speakers such as University of Florida Director of Athletics Jeremy Foley ’74 and New York Giants Vice President for Marketing Rusty Hawley ’79.

During Hanna's tenure, he has overseen a wide-range of facility enhancements, including the building or remolding of the Bristol Field House, the Smith Squash Center, McCooey Field, Cozzens Field, the Hockey Varsity House, the RFK Varsity Strength Training Center, the Martin Athletic Director's Suite, and the Caird Center for Sports and Recreation, as well as several team rooms.

An active member of the community, Hanna has served in a variety of civic positions. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Lakeview Mental Health Services, serves as the co-chair of the Geneva Rotary Club’s Student Loan Program, and assisted Ontario ARC with their recent $1.5 million capital campaign.

Hanna was a paratrooper and an officer in military intelligence, including a tour as an adviser in South Vietnam. Since his discharge from the U.S. Army, he has worked in college athletics, including stops at Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. Naval Academy, and Princeton University.

As a quarterback, Hanna broke all of Hobart’s season and career passing records. He co-captained both the football and lacrosse teams and earned the Francis L. “Babe” Kraus Award as Hobart’s Athlete of the Year during his senior year.

Hanna remains an active member of the lacrosse community. He is currently chairing the committee that selects the coaches for the annual North-South Senior All-Star Game.

Hanna resides in Geneva with his wife, Mary Anne.