Sports

Larry Lee Named Director of Athletics

Larry Lee, formerly the associate director of athletics at the University of Denver, has been appointed director of athletics and physical education at the College. Lee assumed his duties at Allegheny in late September. Lee replaces Rick Creehan, who resigned to accept a position at Washington & Jefferson College.

"I could not be more excited about the opportunity to join Allegheny College and the Meadville community," Lee says. "Allegheny's proud tradition of competitive student-centered athletics, in one of the most outstanding Division III athletic conferences in the country, offers what I believe to be the very best in college athletics opportunity."

Over his eight years at Denver, Lee directed a variety of areas in the university's Division I athletics program. He also oversaw intercollegiate sports programs and the department's marketing efforts.

At Denver, Lee was part of a team that was responsible for the planning, development, and building of the Daniel L. Ritchie Center, a 440,000 square-foot, $78 million, world-class athletics and recreation facility.

Lee also directed the recreation department, including the supervision of numerous youth sport programs and adult leagues. He facilitated the growth and development of Denver's nineteen club sports, outdoor program, and intramurals, which annually serve over 6,000 participants.

"Larry has done it all when it comes to athletics administration," says Dave McInally, secretary of the College and chair of the search committee. "He has supervised coaches, facilities, and a wide variety of recreation and fitness programs. He has one of the most well-rounded records I have seen."

A comprehensive strategic plan of development and achievement in athletics and recreation was also instituted during Lee's tenure. The plan addressed the attainment of higher levels of athletic excellence and compliance with Title IX. Over the last three years, Denver's student-athletes have maintained a 3.3 grade-point average with an 85 percent graduation rate, ranking the department among the top fifteen in the nation.

"My own values are very much in alignment with Allegheny's stated purpose for student activities, which is to create a seamless learning environment where students are engaged in education and growth, both in and out of the classroom," Lee said. "I believe that athletics, recreation, and physical education together help to provide an intellectually stimulating environment that allows students to incorporate lessons learned in the classroom with real life situations."

Prior to working at Denver, Lee served as the executive director of the U.S. Judo Association and also spent a year on the coaching staff of the U.S. National Judo Team. Lee earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from the University of Southern Colorado in 1991 and a master's degree of science in management from Denver in 1996.

Clune Coaches Men's Hoops

Rob Clune, a former Gator assistant coach, has been named men's basketball coach at the College. Clune, formerly the head coach at Bethany College, replaces Phil Ness, the all-time men's basketball coaching victories leader, who resigned in August to become a major gifts officer in Allegheny's development office.

"It's great to have Rob returning to Allegheny as head coach of our men's basketball program," says Maureen Hager, who served as interim director of athletics during the search for a new coach. "He has all the right ingredients: the Division III philosophy and the rich tradition of the liberal arts. Rob's history of success as a head coach and his familiarity with Allegheny only add to our well-established program."

Clune becomes the seventeenth head coach in the 106-year history of Gator basketball, and just the sixth in the fifty-nine years since Robert Garbark began his nineteen-year stint in 1943.

"I'm thrilled to be rejoining a basketball program that is rich in tradition, going back to Norm Sundstrom and up through John Reynders and Phil Ness," says Clune. "I am very privileged to be carrying on that tradition."

Clune has spent the last seven seasons as head coach at Bethany College, where he rebuilt the men's basketball program, which is coming off the best season in Bethany history. He compiled a 69-111 career coaching record, after inheriting a team that had one winning season in the fifteen years preceding his arrival. Clune also was named the Presidents' Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2001 and 2002.

Last season, Clune led the Bison to a 21-6 record and a berth in the NCAA Division III Tournament. It was the most wins in a single season at Bethany and the school's first tournament berth since 1982. The Bison went on to post a win in the tournament, Bethany's first since 1978, before losing in the second round to eventual national champion Otterbein.

During his tenure at Bethany, Clune coached nine All-PAC players, including the PAC Player of the Year each of the last two seasons. He has also served as the Bison women's soccer coach for seven seasons, winning the PAC championship in 1999, as well as the head men's and women's golf coach last spring.

Clune first came to Allegheny as men's basketball assistant under Ness in October 1989. He helped in recruiting the core of players that went on to win the North Coast Athletic Conference Championship and earn an NCAA Tournament bid after his departure.

"I feel that my familiarity with Allegheny and Meadville will have a great impact for me as the new head coach," Clune commented. "I spent seven years recruiting for the Gators, and knowing the school will give me a tremendous advantage going into the new job."

As a player, Clune helped the State University of New York at Albany to three NCAA Tournament appearances, earning first team All-SUNYAC honors his senior season. He was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999. He graduated from Albany State in 1981 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He is currently nearing completion of a master's in athletic coaching from West Virginia University.

Upon graduation from Albany State, Clune continued his playing career overseas, playing for Club Polisen in Stockholm from 1981 to 1983. He led his team to a playoff spot in the Swedish First Division.