HIRAM, Ohio - September 30, 2026  – Hiram College mourns the passing of former Director of Athletics Tom Mulligan, who died Tuesday, September 29, at the age of 77.  

Mulligan served as Hiram's Director of Athletics from 2002 until his retirement in 2013. During his 11 years at Hiram, he helped lead the athletic department through growth period and played a major role in shaping Hiram Athletics into what it is today. 

During his time at Hiram, Mulligan oversaw several important projects, including the construction of the Coleman Sports Center, which opened in 2005, the addition of turf and lights at Henry Field, renovations to athletic locker rooms, and the addition of men's and women's lacrosse as varsity sports in 2012. He also helped guide Hiram's move from the Ohio Athletic Conference to the North Coast Athletic Conference. 

Hiram teams also found success during Mulligan's time. Volleyball and softball won conference championships, while men's soccer and men's basketball finished among the top four teams in the NCAC. Mulligan also helped start a graduate assistant program and put policies and procedures in place that continue to help the athletic department today. 

 Mulligan's impact on Hiram Athletics went beyond facilities, championships, and administrative work. 

Ellen Dempsey, who worked with Mulligan as associate athletic director before becoming his successor, remembered him as someone who always put Hiram's student-athletes first. 

"Tom Mulligan was one of the finest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing," Dempsey said. "He was a tireless champion for Hiram College Athletics, a mentor, a role model, and a trusted confidant." 

Dempsey recalled Mulligan's well-known 4 a.m. starts and his willingness to help wherever he was needed. Whether he was sweeping the tunnel at Henry Field before a game, clearing snow from the field so a lacrosse game could be played, or traveling with a team, Mulligan was never afraid to pitch in. 

"He always made time to listen," Dempsey said. "Whenever a student-athlete or coach was struggling, his door was open, and he helped us through whatever we were facing. The student-athlete experience was at the center of everything he did." 

Assistant Director of Athletics and long time Head Athletic Trainer James Johnston also remembered Mulligan for the impact he had on student-athletes, coaches and staff. 

"Tom was compassionate and understanding with student athletes, was a great mentor to the coaches and staff and had a tireless work ethic with attention to detail," Johnston said. "He transformed Hiram Athletics into a modern athletic department. He made a lasting impact on Hiram Athletics with much of what he did as an Athletic Director still felt today." 

Mulligan's career in athletics began well before his time at Hiram. A Cleveland, OH native, was an All-City football player at Cathedral Latin High School before playing football at Ohio Wesleyan University from 1967-70. He was a three-time All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection, earning the honor twice as a receiver and once as a defensive back. He later earned his master's degree from Bowling Green State University and served in the Army Reserve during the Vietnam Era. 

His coaching career included assistant football coaching positions at Heidelberg, Ohio Northern, Ohio Wesleyan and Kenyon. He then spent three seasons as the head football coach at Marietta before spending 18 years at Oberlin as head track coach, assistant football coach and assistant athletic director. He joined Hiram in 2002. 

Although Mulligan retired more than a decade ago, his impact is still felt throughout Hiram Athletics. 

Dempsey said one of the memories that has stayed with her is seeing Mulligan standing in the corner of Price Gym, quietly watching Hiram's volleyball team compete. 

"I'll forever picture him in the corner of Price Gym, arms folded, watching our volleyball team play: steady, present, and always in our corner." Dempsey said. 

Mulligan is survived by his wife, Diane, whom he was married to for 54 years, along with three children and eight grandchildren. 

Hiram College and Hiram Athletics extend their condolences to the Mulligan family and to everyone who had the opportunity to know and work with Tom.