NCAA Division III
Strategic Initatives
Louise McCleary, NCAA Director of Division
III
Tuesday, October 2
Louise McCleary joined the NCAA national office as the director of Division III in early February 2012. She works with Division III Vice President Dan Dutcher in overseeing the division’s governance committee structure (particularly the Presidents and Management Councils), developing and implementing the division’s strategic plan and managing the division’s operating budget, among other assignments.
A 20 year veteran in athletics administration, including the last 15 years at Division III institutions, McCleary was Director of Athletics at Elms College for 10 years (2002-12). During her tenure, she guided 15 intercollegiate programs; added 11 full Âtime coaches and oversaw a $1.7 million field Âimprovement project. McCleary also implemented programs that improved student-athlete academic performance, boosting graduation rates above those of the student body.
Prior to Elms College, McCleary was at Vassar College, first as an associate athletics director and then as interim director of athletics in 2001-02. She worked at Trine University (Ind.) from 1991 to 1997, serving as an assistant basketball coach, sports information director and assistant director of athletics. She also was an assistant basketball coach at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, for two years and at her alma mater, Wellesley College, for one.
McCleary has extensive NCAA Division III committee service, including the Men’s Volleyball Committee (chair), the Championships Committee and on regional advisory committees in three sports.
McCleary has a bachelor of arts degree in political science and American studies from Wellesley College and a master’s in sport management from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
