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Drake Relays Pillar Carolyn Hill To Retire

Hill has directed all meet operations for 'America's Athletic Classic'

Drake assistant athletic director for Drake Relays operations Carolyn Hill retires at the end of this week after more than 15 years of faithful service to her alma mater.

Hill joined the Drake Relays staff in 2007 and has directed all meet operations for 'America's Athletic Classic' including the coordination of officials, volunteers, entries, digital information and historical record keeping.

"Carolyn essentially served as the interim director in the weeks and months before my arrival and she has been a friend and mentor every day since," said Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. "Her commitment to the success of the Drake Relays sets an example for all to follow.  It has been a privilege to learn while working alongside Carolyn and I'm honored to call her a friend."

That commitment has helped the Drake Relays continue to grow to encompass nearly 5,000 athletes over four days of competition. She has also been instrumental in Drake's hosting of the NCAA Championships in 2008, 2011 and 2012 and USA Championships in 2010, 2013, 2018 and 2019.  

"Carolyn Hill has been a pillar for the Drake Relays and me over the years," said former Drake Relays director Brian Brown. "She has been more than an assistant director, more than an officials coordinator and more than a friend. She is family to me and a mother to the many Drake Relays participants. She cares so deeply about every individual and has worked tirelessly to make sure every athlete had a fair chance to compete on the Blue Oval."

A well-respected track and field official, she was named the 2018 USATF Iowa Track and Field Official of the Year and the recipient of the 2018 USATF National Officials Committee Chair Award. Her reputation as an official has also earned her invitations to help officiate some of the nation's top track and field events, including the 2014 IAAF U20 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Hill began her tenure at Drake in 2004 as the director of Greek Life. After three years in that capacity, she has served as assistant director of relays/sports information, assistant director of the Drake Relays and most recently as assistant athletic director for Drake Relays operations.  

However, her love for Drake extends to her time as a standout student-athlete at Drake. The Valparaiso, Ind., native was a four-year letterwinner and team captain in volleyball who earned a bachelor's degree in education and a minor in business from Drake in 1980. She received her master's degree in education from the University of North Texas in 1982. 

Hill and her husband, Robb, were honored with Drake's 'Double D' Award in 1998, the highest honor Drake athletics bestows upon former student-athletes. Robb was also a standout student-athlete and letterwinner for the Drake football team. The couple, who resides in West Des Moines, have two adult children, Lauren and Bryan.

Boldon and the Drake Relays committee will conduct a national search for Hill's replacement. Interested candidates should click here.
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