Temple University President Neil D. Theobald announced that Patrick M. Kraft, who currently serves as Temple’s deputy director of athletics, will replace Kevin Clark as athletic director. Earlier this week, the president nominated Clark to the newly created position of executive vice president and chief operating officer for Temple.

Kraft and Clark also served together at Indiana University, where Kraft oversaw marketing and ticketing efforts for all of the Hoosiers’ programs. His efforts at Indiana helped increase home football attendance to its highest mark in two decades.

Kraft was appointed to his position at Temple in 2013.

“Pat’s expertise, coupled with his enthusiasm for high-quality student athletics, is apparent to anyone who has worked with him," said Clark. "I know he is dedicated to producing a student-athlete experience that is every bit on par with the high quality of a Temple education.”

Kraft said he was humbled by and excited about the appointment.

“Temple is an extraordinary university, and its athletics programs are advancing with tremendous support from our students, faculty, coaches, parents and alumni,” said Kraft. “Our athletics programs build greater name recognition for Temple around the region and across the country.”

As deputy director of athletics, Kraft oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics while working closely with the vice president and director of athletics on strategic planning, including facility development, Title IX compliance and student-welfare issues. Kraft’s other responsibilities included oversight of marketing and promotions, communications, ticket operations, the business office, equipment operations, retail and licensing, and department-wide branding initiatives.

Kraft also served as the sport administrator for the Temple football program, which involves personnel, budgeting, student-athlete conduct and welfare, APR planning, game scheduling, academic monitoring, and student-athlete counseling. 

Kraft played football at Indiana, where he earned three degrees: a PhD in sport management (2008), a master’s in athletic administration (2005) and a bachelor’s in sport marketing in the School of Kinesiology (2000).

He and his wife, Betsy, have a daughter, Annie.