Northwestern University Athletics
Kevin Clark Named Wildcats Chief Operating Officer
5/25/2022 1:00:00 PM | General
EVANSTON, Illinois – Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg announced Wednesday that Kevin Clark has been selected as Northwestern Athletics and Recreation's new Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer.
"Kevin Clark is one of the most experienced, thoughtful and productive leaders in higher education and we are so excited to add him to our Wildcats family and executive team," said Gragg. "He has proven throughout his career to be a forward-thinking administrator, driving results and relationships. The impact he has made at multiple institutions speaks for itself, and we look forward to the effect he will have on our ability to deliver every day for Northwestern student-athletes."
Clark comes to Evanston after serving Temple University in a variety of increasingly-comprehensive roles over the last decade, most recently as Senior Advisor to the President.
"I'm extremely grateful to Dr. Gragg for this opportunity to join a world-class team and can't wait to get started," Clark said. "Northwestern is one of the world's preeminent universities and a place where excellence is expected. I had an opportunity to meet several Wildcats and it is undeniable from their passion and energy that the future is extremely bright. I am thrilled for the chance to build on a strong foundation alongside so many great coaches, staff, and student-athletes."
In 2013 Clark was appointed Temple's Vice President and Director of Athletics, where he implemented a vision that supported growth, personal development, and academic and athletic achievement. During his tenure Owls student-athletes posted record GPAs, participated in the conference football championship game, and went to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. He negotiated multi-year contracts that produced record multimedia rights revenues and the largest apparel agreement in department history.
In May of 2015, President Neil D. Theobald nominated him to the newly created position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. The new role entrusted Clark with responsibility for the daily operation of the university and consolidated the leadership of four previously separate divisions under his care: Intercollegiate Athletics; Construction, Facilities and Operations; Campus Recreation; and Business Services. In guiding a team of more than 800 employees, he led the implementation of more than $300M in capital projects and infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art library and the Temple Sports Complex.
The move to Northwestern is a Big Ten Conference homecoming for Clark, who spent nearly 11 years at Indiana University. He began his career in Bloomington as the Associate Athletic Director for Business & Finance and Chief Financial Officer and finished as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations. His tenure included leadership of the department's business office, information technology, human resources, travel services, athletic facilities, IU Golf Course, equipment operations, concessions and food services, and other areas of internal administration. He also served as the sport administrator for football, baseball, and women's basketball.
Prior to his time at Indiana, Clark served as the director of business administration-student development at Saint Louis University, where he also worked as Assistant Athletic Director of Business and Finance from 1996 to 2000. He also spent five years as a staff accountant at the NCAA.
Clark holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Grambling State University and an MBA from Webster University. The Kansas City native retired as a Major after serving 23 years in the United States Army Reserve.
"Kevin Clark is one of the most experienced, thoughtful and productive leaders in higher education and we are so excited to add him to our Wildcats family and executive team," said Gragg. "He has proven throughout his career to be a forward-thinking administrator, driving results and relationships. The impact he has made at multiple institutions speaks for itself, and we look forward to the effect he will have on our ability to deliver every day for Northwestern student-athletes."
Clark comes to Evanston after serving Temple University in a variety of increasingly-comprehensive roles over the last decade, most recently as Senior Advisor to the President.
"I'm extremely grateful to Dr. Gragg for this opportunity to join a world-class team and can't wait to get started," Clark said. "Northwestern is one of the world's preeminent universities and a place where excellence is expected. I had an opportunity to meet several Wildcats and it is undeniable from their passion and energy that the future is extremely bright. I am thrilled for the chance to build on a strong foundation alongside so many great coaches, staff, and student-athletes."
In 2013 Clark was appointed Temple's Vice President and Director of Athletics, where he implemented a vision that supported growth, personal development, and academic and athletic achievement. During his tenure Owls student-athletes posted record GPAs, participated in the conference football championship game, and went to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. He negotiated multi-year contracts that produced record multimedia rights revenues and the largest apparel agreement in department history.
In May of 2015, President Neil D. Theobald nominated him to the newly created position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. The new role entrusted Clark with responsibility for the daily operation of the university and consolidated the leadership of four previously separate divisions under his care: Intercollegiate Athletics; Construction, Facilities and Operations; Campus Recreation; and Business Services. In guiding a team of more than 800 employees, he led the implementation of more than $300M in capital projects and infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art library and the Temple Sports Complex.
The move to Northwestern is a Big Ten Conference homecoming for Clark, who spent nearly 11 years at Indiana University. He began his career in Bloomington as the Associate Athletic Director for Business & Finance and Chief Financial Officer and finished as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations. His tenure included leadership of the department's business office, information technology, human resources, travel services, athletic facilities, IU Golf Course, equipment operations, concessions and food services, and other areas of internal administration. He also served as the sport administrator for football, baseball, and women's basketball.
Prior to his time at Indiana, Clark served as the director of business administration-student development at Saint Louis University, where he also worked as Assistant Athletic Director of Business and Finance from 1996 to 2000. He also spent five years as a staff accountant at the NCAA.
Clark holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Grambling State University and an MBA from Webster University. The Kansas City native retired as a Major after serving 23 years in the United States Army Reserve.
Softball - Marina Mason Tosses Complete Game Shutout, 'Cats Earn Game One Win vs. Michigan (4/3/26)
Saturday, April 04
Full Conversation: Carla Berube 1-on-1 Interview with Dave Eanet
Thursday, April 02
Lacrosse - Kelly Amonte Hiller Previews Lacrosse Day in Chicago on B1G Today (4/1/26)
Wednesday, April 01
Women's Basketball - Carla Berube Introductory Press Conference (3/31/26)
Wednesday, April 01
