Lamoni, IA - Over 60 years ago Graceland legend and Head men's and women's tennis coach Jerry Hampton set foot on Graceland's campus.

What ensued over the next 60 + years is nothing short of amazing. Following his men's tennis teams' sixth straight (and tenth in the last twelve years) national tournament appearance last week in Mobile, Alabama Coach Hampton quietly walked away from coaching announcing to his team after its second round loss to Azusa Pacific. What happened during that 60 years however, was far from quiet.

Coach Hampton was always popular with his students because of his sincere interest in their lives. He recruited athletes to first be students, and then players. He taught nearly every subject in what is now the Health and Movement Science Division. He served as division coordinator for more than 20 years and steered development of new academic majors along the way. His work on numerous committees was tireless.

Coach Hampton says looking back now the decision to coach and teach was an easy one.

"I was influenced to go into coaching by my high school and college coaches and the choice I made was one of the best of my lifetime," said a nostalgic Hampton about his resignation. "Unless someone has coached a team, they wouldn't understand what my career has meant to me personally. I've truly looked forward to coming to Graceland every day and have never considered it work. What I will miss the most is the close associations that coaches create with student-athletes both while they're playing and once they head out into the real world. Spending over half my life at a place I love is something I'll cherish forever. I've always said if I had to live my life over again, I wouldn't change a thing," concluded Hampton.

Graceland AD Jeff Falkner was on hand in Mobile when Coach Hampton made the announcement he would be stepping down. "I still really can't believe it," said Falkner about the Hampton resignation. "Part of me wants to be happy for him and the other part of me still wants to still try and talk him out of it.

"Jerry has done so much for Graceland and the many students who had the privilege of calling him coach. Someone else will coach our tennis teams next season but nobody will replace Jerry Hampton," finished Falkner.

Several of Coach Hampton's current and former athletes had wonderful things to say about what he has meant to them both while at Graceland and since they've moved on. "Jerry has always been a second father to me," said Ed Gensler ('70) former Graceland wrestler. "There are too many things to name that he has done for me. He's been a mentor, a coach and I'm proud to say a friend. He married my wife Gayle (Levitt '73) and me 40 years ago and helped take care of my children while they were at Graceland. It's hard for me to comprehend Graceland without Jerry Hampton," finished Gensler.

Graduating senior Jeremy Ackerer (Connunay, France) commented on the impact that Coach Hampton had on him both as a collegiate player and person.

"Coach Hampton has meant so much to so many of us. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to play tennis in the states if it wasn't for him," continued a stoic Ackerer. "What really made him special to me had nothing to do with what kind of tennis coach he is. What sets Coach Hampton apart is the type of person he is and how he treats those around him," finished Ackerer.

Jerry coached wrestling for 22 years, football for 25 years and has coached tennis for 34 years. His wrestling teams were never defeated in conference dual meets or tournaments. They won 22 of 22 HAAC championships. His tennis teams have won 20 HAAC titles and he has been Coach of the Year 20 times. He also coached golf, track and cross country. He was inducted into the Graceland Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986.