WATERVILLE — The changing of the year ushers in new beginnings, and Tim Wheaton is anxiously awaiting his next chapter at Colby College. On Monday it was announced that Wheaton will take over as Harold Alfond Director of Athletics at the school beginning on Jan 26, 2015.

“I’m excited to get up there and I think that if I bring anything to the table it’s some energy and enthusiasm to help everybody kind of work towards a common goal,” Wheaton said by phone Tuesday afternoon. “I have been around the business for a while as a coach and an administrator so I hope I have something to offer in that realm as well.”

According to Wheaton, the process began in the late fall with his initial expression of interest in the position and concluded late last week when he found out he had gotten the job. He will take over for Marcella Zalot, who announced in September that she would be leaving as AD after 13 years in the position.

Wheaton said he hopes to continue to cultivate the athletic programs at the school.

“It’s a fantastic school, first of all, and a place that is doing athletics right and has some real aspirations for the future that I’m excited to be a part of,” he said. “I think if you spend any time on campus people are very excited about the future of Colby and the role that the athletic department can play in it.”

Wheaton has spent the past 30 years at Harvard University with stints coaching women’s soccer and lacrosse, but has served as associate director of athletics since 2007. Wheaton believes his experience with the Crimson will help the transition to his new post with the Mules.

“I think the biggest thing is we share a philosophy that athletics are a very important part of a liberal arts education,” Wheaton said. “Like Harvard, Colby is a fantastic academic institution where there are a number of students who really want to pursue excellence on the athletic field or rink or court or whatever they happen to be playing on.

“My experience here in a very similar environment I think will help me work with the people who are at Colby to help us all achieve our goals.”

For the time being Wheaton is focused on finishing up his responsibilities at Harvard, but did say he is hoping to get up to Waterville soon.

“I need to get up there and meet people, and learn and see what I can do to help them do what they’re already doing,” he said. “The most important part is continuing to do what they do well, which is providing great opportunities and great experiences for the students, and ideally that will reflect in success in the classroom and success on the field.”

Evan Crawley — 621-5640

ecrawley@mainetoday.com

Twitter: @Evan_Crawley

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