Better Know a Boston College Athletic Director Candidate: Dr. Pat Kraft

Well, Boston College now needs to find a new athletic director. Here at BC Interruption, we’re going to highlight potential candidates for the position so you can learn about people potentially in the process.

Today, we highlight the current athletic director at Temple University, Dr. Patrick Kraft.

Dr. Kraft became the athletic director at Temple in May of 2015, after he was promoted from his position as deputy athletic director. Since that time, Dr. Kraft has become highly visible in the collegiate athletics community. Dr. Kraft currently is serving a four year term on the NCAA Division I Strategic Vision and Planning Committee. Dr. Kraft also represented the American Athletic Conference on the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee.

During his time at Temple, Dr. Kraft ushered in a number of new facilities, including a new training complex with a turf field, a new student-athlete lounge, a new complex for both soccer teams, lacrosse, field hockey and track, and an incredibly important renovation to the East Park Canoe House, a vital improvement to the stability of the Temple men’s crew and women’s rowing programs that were just a few years ago set to be cut.

Under Dr. Kraft’s leadership donations to the department increased 75%, and he helped facilitate the fundraising for the training complex. He also ushered in an era of academic excellence unprecedented in the history of Temple.

Honestly, I love this potential hire. The two biggest things to look out for a new AD are increased development and facilities improvement, and Dr. Kraft has experience. He also has a history of maintaining academic excellence, which should be a consideration for BC as well.