Drake’s new athletic director ‘high-character leader’
Drake University today named Des Moines native Brian Hardin as its athletics director, following a national search. Hardin, who was a Drake Relays champion while at Valley High School and competed at the Relays at the university level all four years while attending Marquette University, is currently a deputy director of athletics at Marquette University, with prior experience at Ball State University and the University of Notre Dame.
“After a robust, national search with a deep pool of highly qualified prospects, it became clear that Brian was the right fit for Drake,” Drake President Marty Martin said. “His reputation for success and integrity in all facets of athletics administration at Division I institutions immediately attracted us to him. Most importantly, Brian understands and is passionate about the distinct and important role athletics play in supporting the Drake University mission.”
Hardin succeeds Sandy Hatfield Clubb, who left Drake in August after more than a decade as athletic director to take a position at an athletics consulting firm in Reno, Nev. Megan Franklin, Drake’s associate athletic director, has served as interim athletic director.
In his role as Marquette’s deputy athletic director, Hardin helped oversee the university’s 16 varsity sports, more than 300 student-athletes, and nearly 100 full-time employees. His work in the department’s business development and external engagement areas generated more than $11 million annually. Hardin was part of five Big East championship programs, which were the first Big East championships won by their respective programs in the school’s history.
At Marquette, Hardin served as sport administrator for men’s soccer, men’s tennis, and men’s and women’s cross country and track and field, and also advised the athletic director on matters pertaining to men’s and women’s basketball. He oversaw marketing and fan engagement, ticket sales and service, merchandising, licensing, corporate partnerships, and served as liaison with student-athlete alumni.
“Brian is a high-character leader and strategic thinker,” Marquette President Michael Lovell said. “He embodies the very best characteristics of a Marquette graduate and will do great work at Drake University.”
Hardin was born with a Bulldog spirit; both his parents are Drake alumni. Bob and Jan Hardin graduated with bachelor’s degrees from the School of Education in 1973. Bob, who teaches and coaches cross country at Valley, returned to earn his master’s in education at Drake in 1987.
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