News

KEITH CLARKE NAMED AS DIRECTOR OF DIVISION III
GOVERNANCE AND OFFICIATING

Centerville, Mass. - Commissioner of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Rudy Keeling announced the hiring of Dr. Keith Clarke as the Director of Division III Governance and Officiating.  In his new role, Clarke will manage all aspects of ECAC DIII governance matters as well as the officiating bureau, oversee DIII strategic plan implementation, assist in DIII special events, and supervise the officiating staff.

"With the hiring of Dr. Clarke, we address the needs of our largest division, Division III, and have someone who is dedicated to fulfill Division III membership services," said Commissioner Keeling.  "To have someone of Keith's quality to fill this position says how important our Division III membership is to the ECAC."

Clarke has been working in sports since 1975, working with athletes from the professional level to youth.  From 1975-1977, Clarke worked for the National Basketball Association (NBA) as team psychologist for the Golden State Warriors. After his tenure as team psychologist, he worked directly with the NBA, conducting orientation programs for first and second round draft choices, concentrating on stress management.

Since 2001, Clarke has worked as president of ‘Sports From the Neck Up,' a program he founded. It offers an orientation program for male and female freshman athletes on the Division one level. Clarke has also been an official, working with the Southshore Basketball Officials Association, refereeing high school basketball, and the American Softball Association.

Clarke's longest and most recent position has been Director of Guidance for the Barnstable Public School System. Within this position, Clarke supervised the counseling staff and provided training for new staff members. He also created during and after school cultural, recreational and social programs. In addition, Clarke also developed and produced publications including the student handbook, and brochures.

A New York City native, Clarke received a bachelor of science from North Carolina A&T State University. He received a masters of education from Queens College, CUNY, and earned a doctorate degree in education from Boston University in 1975.

In May 2009, the ECAC was one of six recipients of a Division III Strategic Alliance Matching Grant from the NCAA. The grant was to be used to create a new position, Director of Division III Governance and Officiating.  The ECAC used this grant with the hiring of Clarke.

The Strategic Alliance Matching Grant provides funding for Division III institutions and conference offices seeking to create full-time professional administrative opportunities for minorities and women, and to enhance diversity and inclusion within their athletics administrative staffs.