Peoria, IL - Bradley University Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Chris Reynolds announced today that lifelong Peorian, Tom Hammerton, has been named General Manager of Basketball for the Braves' men's and women's basketball programs.

In this newly established role, Hammerton will support the continued advancement of Bradley's men's and women's basketball programs in a changing college athletics environment. He will work closely with Dr. Chris Reynolds, Deputy Athletics Director Brad Chandler, Men's Basketball Head Coach Brian Wardle, and Women's Basketball Head Coach Chaia Meier on priorities tied to external engagement, revenue generation, student-athlete opportunities, and long-term program competitiveness.

"Tom Hammerton is uniquely suited for this role," Reynolds said. "He brings an exceptional record of fundraising achievement, trusted relationships throughout Peoria and beyond, and a genuine passion for Bradley Basketball. As the landscape of intercollegiate athletics continues to evolve, Tom will be invaluable in helping us build the resources, alignment, and engagement needed to support our programs, while assisting athletics and coaching leadership with strategic considerations related to roster planning, recruiting, and student-athlete relations."

Hammerton's connection to Bradley spans nearly a decade. From 1999 to 2008, he served in several key advancement leadership positions at the university, including Director of Athletic Development, Executive Director of Development, and Associate Vice President for Principal Giving.

In 2008, Hammerton joined OSF HealthCare as Vice President of Development and later served for 13 years as President of the OSF HealthCare Foundation before retiring last month. Recognized as one of the region's premier fundraisers, he led numerous transformative campaigns throughout his career at both Bradley and OSF, including the highly successful campaign for the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute. Under his leadership, OSF Foundation assets grew from approximately $30 million to more than $400 million.

"I am deeply honored to return to Bradley and to support two basketball programs that mean so much to this university and this community," Hammerton said. "Bradley Basketball has a proud tradition, passionate supporters, and tremendous momentum. I look forward to working alongside Dr. Reynolds, Brad Chandler, Coach Wardle, Coach Meier, and our donors to strengthen the foundation for future success and help create meaningful opportunities for our student-athletes."

A lifelong connection to basketball also shaped Hammerton's path. His father, Wayne Hammerton, was a Hall of Fame coach at Richwoods High School. Tom served as an assistant coach alongside his father for several years until Wayne's retirement in 1996, further deepening his ties to the game and the Peoria basketball community.

Hammerton and his wife, Alison, are the proud parents of five children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

Tom Hammerton will officially begin his role with Bradley Athletics on June 1, 2026.

Statements of Support
Brian Wardle, Bradley Men's Basketball Head Coach:
"Tom's addition is foundational for the future of Bradley Basketball. His leadership and ability to build meaningful relationships will strengthen the support system around our programs in a significant way. He understands Bradley, he understands Peoria, and he understands what it takes to create lasting momentum. We are grateful to have him helping us build for the future."

Chaia Meier, Bradley Women's Basketball Head Coach:
"We are incredibly excited to welcome Tom into this role. His energy, experience, and passion for Bradley Basketball will be a tremendous asset to our women's program and to the department as a whole. This is an important addition at an exciting time, and I look forward to working with him to help elevate our program and connect even more deeply with the Bradley community."