Tommy McClelland who has been the Athletic Director for McNeese State since 2008 here in Lake Charles was announced this morning at the new Athletic Director at Louisiana Tech at a press conference. 

Tommy McClelland is replacing Bruce Van De Velde who vacated the position in June of this year.

Louisiana Tech has hired Tommy McClelland from McNeese State to be its new athletic director, a source told ESPN's Joe Schad.

Former Louisiana Tech AD Bruce Van De Velde announced in late June that he'd be stepping down.

Van De Velde did not immediately go into detail about the reasons for his decision. His resignation came at the end of an academic year in which the Bulldogs' football team missed out on a bowl game despite a nine-win season and then lost coach Sonny Dykes, who left to coach California.

The Bulldogs were left out of college football's postseason after Van De Velde declined to quickly accept an invitation from the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., holding out for other opportunities that never materialized.

 

Tommy McClelland was named athletic director at McNeese State on March 19, 2008.   Prior to being named Athletic Director, McClelland served as Interim Athletic Director and Assistant Athletic Director of Internal Affairs. Now he leaves to take the job at Louisiana Tech starting today.

Here is a statement released by McNeese Athletics:

McNeese State University Athletics Director Tommy McClelland has been selected to become the next athletic director at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. McClelland has led the athletics department at McNeese since 2007.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at McNeese and the support from the administration, faculty, coaches, students, boosters and fans for the athletic program has been exceptional. I was planning on more years at McNeese, but this is an incredible opportunity for me professionally, and for my family,” McClelland said.

“Tommy has led the athletic department with integrity, energy and vision. His work, leadership and judgment have been outstanding and he will be missed,” said Dr. Philip Williams, McNeese president.

 


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