Thom Meredith '73 (Friend): Thom Meredith is a seasoned sports executive and communications professional with a remarkable career spanning collegiate athletics, international soccer, and global sporting events. Beginning as a student intern in the Sports Information Office at Hartwick College and writing for The Daily Star, Meredith quickly established a lifelong commitment to sport and service.
A dedicated Hartwick alum, Meredith served on the 2009 Athletics Task Force and was a member of the Hartwick College Alumni Board of Directors from 2012 to 2015. In recognition of continued dedication and impact, he was named Hartwick's Outstanding Volunteer in 2016. In 2024, Meredith was awarded the President's Medal for Extraordinary and Exemplary Loyalty to the College. Earlier this year, the College named a speaker series - the Meredith Sport Management Speaker Series - in his honor to reflect his profound influence on the industry and his dedication to shaping future professionals.
Professionally, Meredith made history as the first-ever Director of Events for the U.S. Soccer Federation during the 1990s, playing a pivotal role in shaping the federation's event operations. This was followed by executive leadership roles as First Vice President of Operations for both the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) and its successor, Women's Professional Soccer (WPS). Earlier in his career, Thom also served as PR Director for four franchises in the North American Soccer League: the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Washington Diplomats, Philadelphia Fury, and Dallas Tornado.
Over the span of several decades, he has played an integral role in organizing and hosting major international teams and events, including Barcelona FC and Manchester United on six North American tours stretching from 2000-2010 as well as serving as the Venue Director for Philadelphia during the 2016 Copa América Centenario. Meredith was also the last American to host the Iranian National Team, completing the tour in 2000.
Meredith is believed to be the only individual to have worked at:
-
Three Summer Olympic Games (1984, 1988, 1996)
-
All U.S.-hosted FIFA World Cups (Men's 1994; Women's 1999 & 2003)
-
The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa
-
The 1987 Pan American Games
-
The 1998 Goodwill Games
-
The 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean
-
Every CONCACAF Gold Cup from 1991 through 2013
