THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — After overseeing the most successful athletic year in California Lutheran University athletics history as interim, Dr. Howard N. Davis has been named Director of Athletics.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at CLU," said Davis. "The university has an elite coaching and support staff who were responsible for the incredible success this year. They, along with our amazing student-athletes, make the job fulfilling and incredibly fun."
In a year full of athletic accomplishments and highlights, TWO NCAA national championships stand out. Women's Soccer and Men's Volleyball both won their first NCAA National Championships. Cal Lutheran leaped to four NCAA championships since becoming an NCAA member in 1991. The two newest crowns made CLU one of only 23 Division III institutions (out of 430) to hold four national titles in four different sports. CLU's titles are divided evenly among genders, which exhibits the decades-long commitment to providing the highest quality equitable athletic programs.
Cal Lutheran's NCAA 2023-24 teams excelled in the postseason, combining for a record of 11-3 against the top competition in the nation.
Another highlight was men's and women's basketball claiming SCIAC regular season titles in the same year for the first time in university history. The basketball programs were a combined 25-0 at Gilbert Sports & Fitness Center in the regular season. Kingsmen basketball's historic season included a record-breaking 19-game win streak and SCIAC regular season title, which led to CLU's selection as a regional host for the first and second rounds in the national tournament. On their way to the NCAA title, women's Soccer captured a piece of the SCIAC regular season championship.
"Howard's gifts as a leader and athletic administrator could not come at a better time for the university," said Vice President, Enrollment Management & Student Success Matt Ward. "He brings a steady hand, strategic thinking, and contagious enthusiasm to a department that has experienced major changes in leadership over the last few years. He is committed to teamwork and creates a positive culture for students, coaches, and staff by encouraging the heart."
Non-competition advances in CLU athletics during 2023-24 include a renovation of the athletic suite (new flooring, wall décor, and branded furniture) designed to make it a more attractive work environment for coaches, support staff, and a critical recruiting space for prospective student-athletes. "This space is not only beautiful and appropriate but has proven to be a versatile go-to spot for watch parties, pre-game socials, NCAA selection shows and donor and parent/fan/alumni gathering spots," said Davis.
Three major athletic facility projects were completed during the year. Most impactful is the completion of softball dugouts, locker rooms, and storage rooms as phase one of the softball stadium project. This project was completed just in time for the Regals first home contest in March. The next project completed was the replacement of the turf in William Rolland Stadium. The turf had exceeded its suggested life span and was replaced with non-marked, top-of-the-line turf. Having no markings will allow the lines and logos to be marked for the specific event happening in the stadium. This custom marking ability was a key attraction for the LA Galaxy to use CLU as its MLS Next home venue. The final project was a complete grass tear-out, laser-leveling, and re-sodding of Memorial Field, the CLU football practice venue. This investment will ensure football, and other teams, have an elite quality practice venue.
The year also featured a new and enhanced Media Day. The CLU Athletics and Marketing Departments collaborated to create a new masterpiece to feature athletes and bring teams together. The event included professional action shots, a video cube, and a step-and-repeat wall. The assets were used to bolster Cal Lutheran's marketing and media presence, through social media and on campus. Athletes were also given pictures and videos to have and remember.
Midway through the year, the CLU athletic program began publishing "Purple Reign," an electronic newsletter to campus personnel outlining the successes of athletic programs and student-athletes, Big Game alerts to generate greater attendance, spotlights on student-athletes and coaches to allow an up close and personal look at them.
Davis had a long career in community college and high school athletics before moving into administration. He spent six years as Pacifica High School's first athletic director, responsible for ordering all athletic equipment, uniforms, and facilities and assisting in the selection of all coaches.
From there, Davis was hired as Moorpark College's fourth athletic director and served in that role for nearly 10 years before becoming the dean of social and behavioral sciences, the largest instructional division at the college. After six years in that role, the Thousand Oaks resident was named Vice President of Academic Affairs at Antelope Valley College where he served for 1 ½ years before retiring.
"Dr. Davis is a talented administrator who leads with integrity, empathy, and courage," said AVC President Dr. Jennifer Zellet. "His service to AVC earned him universal respect and admiration."
Two months into retirement, Davis agreed to serve in the Interim role at CLU. "The staff throughout the beautiful CLU campus along with student-athletes, coaches, and support staff quickly invigorated me and made it abundantly clear that I was not ready to retire," said Davis. "I look forward to several years of service. The things that athletics provide to our student-athletes cannot be found anywhere else in our society. It is an honor to be a small part of the development of so many outstanding young men and women."
A lifelong teacher, Davis also teaches in the doctoral and master's degree programs at CSU Northridge's Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program. He holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Redlands, an M.A. in Education from Claremont Graduate University, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Cal Lutheran. Davis and his wife, Christina have been married 37 years and have three grown daughters, and will welcome a fifth grandson in July.
