Scott McClure Named KIAC Commissioner
BEREA, Ky. – The Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) Council of Presidents has named Scott McClure as the league's next Commissioner. McClure will officially begin his duties with the conference on July 1 and will be the conference's first full-time commissioner.
McClure takes over for Bill Melton who will be retiring after serving the league as commissioner since 2007.
"I am extremely pleased to accept the position of KIAC Commissioner," said McClure. "Bill Melton has done an outstanding job of leading the conference during his tenure and I wish him all the best in his retirement. I look forward to working with the conference leadership in continuing to develop the KIAC into a premier conference within the NAIA."
Scott McClure brings over 25 years of athletic administrative experience (with over twenty years in the NAIA) in a variety of roles as the new Commissioner of the KIAC.
Fr. Larry Hostetter, President of Brescia University and Chairman of the KIAC Council of Presidents, led the committee which performed the national search.
"We had an excellent pool of candidates and finalists from around the country," said Fr. Hostetter. "I want to commend the search committee members for their hard work and diligence throughout the process. We are very happy to welcome Scott as our league's next Commissioner. His leadership and previous experience at the NAIA will be invaluable as our conference continues to implement new initiatives from our recently adopted strategic plan."
McClure began his career at Siena Heights University in 1990 as their first full-time Sports Information Director. He spent eleven years at his alma mater and also served as an adjunct faculty member, assistant basketball coach and media coordinator for the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.
In 2000, McClure accepted a position as a Manager of Championship Sports at the NAIA National Office, where he administered over fifty intercollegiate national championships during his twelve-years at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. In addition to championships administration, McClure also served as a conference liaison to three affiliated conferences and the Association of Independent Institutions. He was also the staff liaison to the NAC Rules & Ratings Committee and was instrumental in the incorporation of the NAIA Modified Ratings Percentage Index (NAIA-MRPI) for NAIA women's and men's soccer.
"During my tenure at the NAIA National Office, I served as the liaison to the KIAC and was able to develop some strong friendships and relationships within the conference," said McClure. "I'm excited to be able to renew those friendships, build new relationships, and return to the NAIA as a conference commissioner."
McClure most recently served as the Athletic Director at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois. Under his leadership, the Highlander Athletic Department earned the inaugural SLIAC Conference Community Service Award for the 2013-14 academic year.
Joe Glover, KIAC President and Athletic Director at IU Southeast also served as a member of the search committee and believes that McClure will help the league continue to meet the diverse needs of its membership. "As an AD I am looking forward to partnering with Scott and our Board of Athletic Directors to provide the very best experiences for the student-athletes throughout our conference. Our league has experienced significant growth and change in recent years and with Scott's leadership I feel that we will continue our dedication to ensuring our conference continues to focus on progress and enhancement."
McClure received his Bachelor's degree from Siena Heights University in 1986 and was inducted into the SHU Athletic Hall of Fame as an administrator in 2008. He earned his Master's degree from the University of Toledo in 1988.
McClure enjoys officiating basketball games in his spare time; as well as spending time with his family. He has been active as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimer's Association. Scott is married to his wife, Michelle. They have two grown children; Tyler (29) and Kalli (24).
About the KIAC: The Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) is a collegiate athletic conference with membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Although it was historically a Kentucky-only conference, it has now expanded to include members in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, West Virginia and at various times in the past has also had members in Missouri, Tennessee, and Virginia. The conference was official established in 1916 and will celebrate its 100th year an intercollegiate athletic conference in 2016.