AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts chancellor John V. Lombardi announced this afternoon that Ian McCaw has been named the university’s new director of athletics. McCaw replaces Bob Marcum, who retired on June 14, after nearly a decade leading UMass Athletics.
“UMass Amherst is delighted to welcome Ian McCaw as athletic director,” said Lombardi. “His exceptional record of success and the high regard in which he is held by so many in the profession of intercollegiate athletics speak to the many qualities that recommended him to us.
“UMass Amherst has an exceptional record in intercollegiate athletics, and like many first-rank programs, it faces the challenge of building the support structure to guarantee the continuation and expansion of that success. We believe Ian McCaw has the experience and skills needed at this moment to meet that challenge.
“Intercollegiate sports depends on the energy, commitment, and talent of its student-athletes, coaches, and staff, and they, in turn, depend on their institution, its students, alumni, and friends for the support needed to succeed. We all share this commitment and the obligation that goes with it, and we anticipate great things from
UMass Amherst athletics under the leadership of Ian McCaw.”
McCaw becomes only the fifth permanent athletic director at UMass since 1911. The four previous athletic directors were Curry Starr Hicks (1911-1948), Warren P. McGuirk (1948-1971), Frank McInerney (1972-1992) and Marcum (1993-2002).
“The Amherst campus has recruited a first-class athletic director in Ian McCaw,” said UMass president William M. Bulger. “Ian has many outstanding qualities that benefit student-athletes: a focus on academic achievement, a passion for competing and winning at the highest level, and a belief in community service. Chancellor Lombardi has made an excellent choice.”
McCaw, 39, comes to UMass from Northeastern University, where he has served as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation since 1997. During his five years at Northeastern, the athletics department benefitted from McCaw’s reorganization and the recruitment of several new key members to the Huskies staff.
A five-year strategic plan for Northeastern Athletics inclusive of department goals and objectives was developed and implemented. Issues relating to enhanced program competitiveness, equity, diversity, compliance, sportsmanship, external support, the student-athlete experience, facility improvements and long-term financial stability were at the core.
“I am very appreciative of the opportunity that chancellor Lombardi and the search committee have afforded me in selecting me as the athletic director at the University of Massachusetts,” said McCaw. “As an alumnus of the institution, this athletic directorship holds very special significance to me and truly represents the pinnacle personal and professional opportunity that I aspire towards.”
McCaw came to Northeastern from Tulane University, where he served as senior associate athletics director for development and associate athletics director for external affairs. He was directly involved in development, sponsorship, media relations, promotions, licensing and merchandising. In 1996, he was named Tulane’s co-interim director of athletics and was responsible for administering Tulane’s 16-sport Division I-A program.
Prior to his years at Tulane, McCaw worked with virtually every aspect of athletic administration at the University of Maine from 1986 to 1992. He began as an assistant director of sports information and progressed to the roles of sports information director and assistant athletic director for external affairs.
McCaw is a member of the NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey committee. He also serves on the America East, Atlantic 10 Football, Hockey East and National Consortium for Academics and Sports executive committees. In addition, McCaw has served on the America East committees on championships, gender equity, men’s basketball, sporting conduct and baseball.
“We had a very strong pool of candidates for this position, and I am delighted that Ian McCaw has accepted appointment as our next Athletic Director,” said Susan Pearson, co-chair of the search committee which selected McCaw. “Ian’s experience at the University of Maine, at Tulane, and at Northeastern and the high regard in which he is held throughout the intercollegiate athletic community suggest that this will be a wonderful appointment for the campus, for the Athletic Department, and for our student-athletes.”
“I am very excited about Ian McCaw’s appointment,” said Steve Lappas, UMass’ head men’s basketball coach and a member of the search committee. “I have heard nothing but great things about him in the basketball community, and I am really looking forward to working together with him.”
McCaw earned his master’s degree in sport management from UMass in 1987, after receiving a bachelor’s degree in sports administration at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, in 1985. A native of Burlington, Ontario, McCaw and his wife, Heather, have four children: Christy (seven), Paul (five), Callie (three) and Corinne (one).