IUPUC has taken the next step in the process of bringing intercollegiate athletics to the school by hiring Zach McClellan as its first Athletic Director. In November, 2021, IUPUC applied for membership to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and has been notified that their application has been moved forward to the next stage of that process which includes a campus and facilities visit. The hope is to begin participation this fall with men’s and women’s cross country, followed by baseball and softball in the spring of 2023.

In his role as Athletic Director, McClellan will be responsible for the overall implementation of the athletic program at IUPUC including managing the remainder of the NAIA application processes, hiring coaches, securing athletic facilities, recruiting athletes, and creating the plan for additional sports starting in the fall of 2023.

“I’m honored to be chosen as the first Athletic Director at IUPUC, and thank Vice Chancellor Hill and IUPUC for the opportunity to help make history here,” said McClellan. “I believe the success of this athletics program hinges on the great people of Columbus and surrounding communities working with IUPUC toward the common goal of bringing college athletics to our shared community.”

Originally from Toledo, OH, McClellan played baseball at Indiana University, where he was drafted in the fifth round by the Kansas City Royals. He spent 10 years as a pitcher in professional baseball, and was a member of the 2007 National League champion Colorado Rockies. McClellan moved to Columbus in 2010 after taking a job with LHP Engineering Solutions. Since that time, he has started two businesses including Demand Command, a multiple-sport, multiple-state, travel athletics organization, and CG Velocity, an organization created to develop baseball pitching expertise for players ages 7 to 25. He holds a B.S. degree from Indiana University and an M.B.A. from University of Phoenix, and is currently an adjunct faculty member in the Division of Business at IUPUC.

“We’re excited to have Zach as our first Athletic Director. As a former IU student, a resident of Columbus, and a faculty member at IUPUC, Zach fully understands the impact that intercollegiate athletics can have on our campus, as well as the community as a whole,” said Reinhold Hill, Vice Chancellor and Dean at IUPUC. “When you look at his accomplishments both inside and outside of sports, it’s evident that Zach is someone who gets things done and we believe his positive energy will invigorate our campus as we move forward with this new chapter in the history of IUPUC.”

For more information about athletics at IUPUC, visit iupuc.edu/athletics.