Bradley University has named Tom Hammerton as its new General Manager of Basketball, entrusting the veteran administrator with overseeing both the men's and women's programs. In this role, Hammerton will drive external engagement, boost revenue streams, and expand opportunities for student‑athletes, aiming to strengthen the university's athletic brand across the region.
A Familiar Face Returns
Hammerton previously served at Bradley from 1999 to 2008 in key advancement leadership positions, where he helped shape fundraising strategies that would later prove pivotal to the institution's growth. His return marks a homecoming for a figure deeply embedded in the Peoria basketball community.
Before his latest appointment, Hammerton spent 13 years at OSF HealthCare, rising to President of the OSF HealthCare Foundation. Under his stewardship, foundation assets surged from roughly $30 million to more than $400 million, a testament to his skill in cultivating major gifts and strategic partnerships.
The new role also brings personal resonance: his father, Wayne Hammerton, was a Hall of Fame coach at Richwoods High School, and Tom once served as an assistant coach alongside him until Wayne's retirement in 1996. This familial tie underscores a lifelong immersion in the sport that shaped his career path.
Hammerton will officially begin his duties on June 1, 2026. University officials say his blend of fundraising expertise, institutional knowledge, and community connections positions him to elevate Bradley's basketball programs both on and off the court.