After 23 years, Clark University Director of Athletics and Recreation Linda Moulton has announced she will retire from her position effective December 31, 2010.
“Linda Moulton is one of the hardest working, fairest, and most thoughtful university administrators I have ever met,” said Clark University President John Bassett. “Her values are very much in line with the University’s mission and values. Clark will miss her, but greatly appreciates the leadership and collegiality she has provided over the last two decades.” Moulton, the University’s fifth athletics director, began her career at Clark in August of 1987 and has overseen tremendous growth within the University’s athletics and recreation programs.
The number of varsity head coaches has increased while the number of programs with part-time coaches has decreased. In the last five years alone, varsity participation has seen a men’s increase of 21 percent with an 18 percent increase for women. Student-athletes are among Clark’s academic leaders, with 35 percent of athletes earning all-academic honors with a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher, and community leaders as approximately 65 percent of varsity athletes volunteer for community service projects. Since 1987, the intramural program has seen a 45 percent growth, currently offering 1,300 opportunities for participation, while recreation and wellness have also significantly increased their levels of involvement.
“Working at Clark has been a great journey and one I have truly loved. I will be forever indebted to the University for ‘challenging convention’ when I was hired 23 years ago. My greatest enjoyment has been my connection with our exceptional student-athletes with whom I have had the privilege of working and supporting through my Clark career.”
A highly respected leader in Division III college athletics, Moulton has served on several committees at the state, regional, and national level, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Council and Division III Steering Committee and the NCAA Management Council. She also served on the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics, the NCAA Division III Nominating Committee, and the NCAA Division III Restructuring Task Force. In addition, she was president of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) from 2001-2003.
On Clark’s campus, Moulton’s efforts led to the establishment of Friends of Clark Athletics and the Clark University Athletic Hall of Fame, both in the early 1990s, as well as Clark’s Athletic Board and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She has been instrumental in several facilities improvements at Clark. The Granger Field Complex project included construction of Dolan Field House along with reconfiguring, reconstructing, and adding lights to the existing Corash Tennis Courts and the baseball, field hockey, lacrosse, and soccer fields. Moulton spearheaded the building of Bickman Fitness Center, and she oversaw two major renovations for Clark’s Kneller Athletic Center, the primary athletic and recreational facility on campus and secured O’Brien softball field just off the main campus.
Moulton was responsible for Clark’s entrance into athletic conference play in 1993. The University became a member of both the Constitution Athletic Conference (CAC) for men and the New England Women’s Eight Conference.
Moulton was a leading member when the NEW 8 went co-ed in 1998, inviting several CAC schools to join, and changed its name to the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). Under Moulton’s leadership, eight teams have represented Clark at NCAA Division III tournaments and championships. The men’s basketball team reached back-to-back NCAA Elite Eights in 2002 and 2003, and the women’s basketball team played in the national tournament five times (1989, 1992, 1998, 2000, 2004). The field hockey, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, and softball teams also earned selection to NCAA team tournaments under Moulton. Individually, several swimmers and two divers have represented Clark at the NCAA national meet since 1987.
Moulton has been part of Clark’s senior leadership team as well as various campus committees. She has made a significant contribution to the Greater Worcester area basketball scene with her longstanding commitment to the Clark High School Tournament, a premier 16-team boys’ basketball event that Clark hosts during the high school February vacation.
Moulton has served as tournament director and on the Clark Tournament committee for nearly 25 years. Moulton’s entire career has been in the field of physical education and athletics as a teacher, coach, and administrator. She held positions as director of athletics at Wellesley College, associate director of athletics at Smith College, and athletic administrative consultant at the College of William and Mary.
Among several honors awarded Moulton, she has received the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) Jostens District Administrator of the Year Award, presented annually to recognize a member who has made outstanding contributions to NACWAA. She also was a recipient of the Jeanne Rowlands Merit Award, given annually for outstanding service by the Massachusetts Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (MAIAW).
The Illinois native graduated with a degree in physical education from Eastern Illinois University. She then earned a master’s degree in athletic administration and curriculum from Northeastern University. “I leave with great fondness for Clark and having had the opportunity to work with so many truly remarkable people including outstanding and caring coaches, staff, faculty, Clark alumni and my colleagues in the NEWMAC and throughout the country,” said Moulton. “After more than two decades, I hope my legacy is one of being an advocate for the student-athlete voice and the continual pursuit of excellence in everything we do.” A national search for her successor will begin immediately.