Alum Steve Hamer Reflects on Basketball Career, Supporting Future Vols
Alum Steve Hamer (’20) speaks to adjunct lecturer Phil Kaplan’s JREM 475 Sports Writing class during the fall 2023 semester.
Growing up in Grand Junction, Tennessee, there were two things School of Journalism and Media alumnus Steve Hamer (‘20) wanted to do as a kid: play basketball and commentate on basketball games.
Throughout his career Hamer accomplished both of those things. The former University of Tennessee, Knoxville college basketball standout and NBA player has not only played the game at the highest level but also routinely shares his expertise as a sports commentator for basketball games on the SEC Network and Vol Network.
The youngest of six children, Hamer fell in love with basketball from a very young age. The 7-footer recalls watching the game of the week as a kid and during commercial breaks going outside to mimic the basketball moves he saw on screen. He would also mimic the announcers.
The summer before starting 10th grade, Hamer grew almost five inches in 60 days. The growth spurt reinforced his belief that basketball was in his future and he began to take the sport and his studies more seriously.
Hamer idolized former University of Louisville Cardinals and NBA basketball player “Never Nervous” Pervis Ellison and originally wanted to play basketball at Louisville as well. It wasn’t until a trip to Rocky Top that he changed his mind. During that visit, Hamer met Ellison, who was friends with the UT coach at the time and traveled to Rocky Top to meet him. Hamer said Ellison’s advice changed everything for him.
“You could go to Louisville and be a part of this continuation of great basketball … or you can come to Tennessee to blaze your own trail,” Hamer said Ellison told him. “I really liked blazing my own trail.”
Hamer received a UT basketball scholarship and played for the Vols from 1992-1996.
Once he signed the scholarship papers, one of the coaches asked him what he wanted to major in. Without a second thought, he responded: communications. Hamer said even though he shared that with the coaches it wasn’t until he started classes that he felt he had made the right choice.
“God had a plan for my life and he ordered by steps the entire way,” Hamer said. “I just thought that I was just going to jump into communications, it may or may not take me anywhere. But, years later I’m going to do five basketball games for the SEC Network this year and some game games for the Vol Radio Network. I couldn’t have chosen a better realm to dive into.”
On the court, Hamer became a standout for the Vols and was selected in the second round of the 1996 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. At the time, Hamer was short a couple classes of completing his degree. Hamer said at the time he truly believed he was going to play basketball forever so decided not to finish up his degree and go to the league.
But life had different plans for him.
After one-and-a-half years in the NBA the Celtics decided to waive their option to retain Hamer. Hamer learned about the decision reading the local newspaper and after viewing his life for so long through the prism of basketball fell into deep despair and uncertainty about his future.
Discovering a passion to serve future generations
Through faith, family and friends, he was able to bounce back.
“I finally understood through prayer that basketball wasn’t my identity,” Hamer said. “I finally found that God made me for something completely different.”
After a few years, Hamer began working at Apostolic Christian School in Knoxville. While there he worked as an athletic director, teacher and coach. It was also at the school that Hamer felt he had found his true calling.
“I just fell in love being around young people and helping them grow,” Hamer said. “There is nothing better than a child or young person who has a problem and you helping them have that epiphany. There’s nothing better than helping others achieve their goals.”
After being at ACS for 13 years, Hamer returned to UT athletics where he got started as an assistant director of development with the Tennessee Fund and is currently director of letterwinner relations.
As part of his new role with UT Athletics, Hamer works with young people after they graduate the university to make sure they don’t fall through the same cracks he did and ensure they know that their alma mater still cares about their progress. He would also be invited to commentate on basketball for SEC Network and the Vol Network.
“There’s just something about articulating a message to thousands of people that are watching and counting on you to paint a picture of what’s happening on the floor,” Hamer said. “There’s just something really special about that.”
A true Vol for Life, Hamer says he loves his current role as it allows him to continue his passion of working and supporting young people.
Hamer said Tennessee has given him so much that he just feels it is his responsibility to do all he can for others whether it be as simple as letting them know he is proud of them to getting more involved in ensuring students are successful.
“When you talk about giving back, that means the world to me,” Hamer said. “I’m here to help you and I want you to know that.”
Finishing what he started
Being back at UT also drove Hamer to finish the degree he started several decades ago.
Hamer said his kids were his motivation to return to school. Once he started, he was reunited with his former advisor, professor and mentor Dr. Sam Swan. Even though it had been decades since he was in college, Swan was so inviting Hamer said it felt like he had never left. He recalls Swan saying how happy he was that he had decided to complete his degree and how proud he was of all the work he is doing with the university and as a sports commentator. This meant the world to Hamer.
“He is still a lifelong friend because of what he has done for me through all these years,” Hamer said. “I owe him a debt of gratitude that I can’t every repay. He’s just an incredible guy.”
In 2020, Hamer completed his degree and while it represented a personal achievement for him, he said his family is what truly made that moment special.
“I was proud to walk across the stage but I was just as proud to hug each and every one of my kids and hear them tell me ‘I’m proud of you dad,’” Hamer said.