Campbell comes into the position as a replacement for Kim Welsh, who departed the club at the end of last season.

Welsh’s decision to leave came shortly after news that majority owner James Spenceley had chosen to sell his share of the foundation club to co-owner Simon Stratford.

Stratford was pleased to bring Campbell on-board.

Campbell played 524 NBL games in a storied 17-year career at the Hawks and played a crucial role in the ‘Save our Hawks’ campaign.

He has also previously been NBL Players Association president.

Campbell was excited by the opportunity.

 “To come into this role, during the club’s 40th year of representing the Illawarra region on a national sporting stage is a huge honour,” he said.

“The club has had some great seasons on the court recently and we hope to continue that trend and be competing for an NBL title again in the near future, it will be my role to ensure we are great both on and off the court”

Campbell will go to work immediately on Illawarra roster for next season, with the Hawks looking to better a fifth placed finish from their 40th season.

NBL free agency opens in less than a fortnight, with centre AJ Ogilvy the only team member signed as he currently weighs up his player option.