Bruce Van De Velde

A professional with over 20 years experience in athletic leadership, Bruce Van De Velde serves Louisiana Tech University of Ruston, Louisiana, as Director of Athletics. His responsibilities include overseeing an athletics department that encompasses 16 sports for both men and women who contend at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1A level in the Western Athletic Conference and, starting this year, in Conference USA. Over the course of his three-year tenure at Louisiana Tech, Bruce Van De Velde implemented the most ambitious fundraising program in the department's history, more than doubled donations to the program, and recruited head coaches for football, basketball, and softball.

Before joining Louisiana Tech, Bruce Van De Velde worked as an athletic director for numerous universities. As Director of Athletics for Iowa State University, for example, he managed a program involving 18 sports and hundreds of athletes of both genders. Mr. Van De Velde also administered an annual budget in the tens of millions and directed more than 130 employees. His fundraising successes included building annual membership to the Cyclone Club to 6000 donors, and raising nearly $4 million in annual contributions. Over $35 million in private contributions were raised during his tenure.

Committed to advancing in his profession, Bruce Van De Velde serves on the Division 1A Athletic Directors Association and on the NCAA Football Issues Committee. In recognition of his career accomplishments, Texas A&M University granted Louisiana Tech the Excellence in Management Cup three times, and the All-American Football Foundation honored him with the General Robert R. Neyland Outstanding Athletic Director Award.