Clemens initially came on board in 1996 to lead the men's and women's soccer programs, most recently serving as the soccer coordinator and an instructor in the Sport Management program at Stritch.

Clemens is excited about his new role.

"I am honored to become Stritch's first fully-dedicated athletic director," he said. "Stritch has always had great student athletes and great teams and we want to continue to build upon our growing tradition of excellence."

The shift in organization within the athletic department shows the Universities' support of athletics and the importance of the department in the future of the University.

"We are excited about the direction our University and athletic program is going and I look forward to leading our department's future growth and successes," Clemens said.

Clemens impressed the selection committee with his commitment to the development of the student and his belief in the mission of the University, which was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis in 1937.

"We truly believe our athletes are students first and foremost and strive to be champions on the field as well as in the classroom and in the community," he said.

"Pat is clearly dedicated to student athletes at Stritch and to the university in general," said Stritch President Dr. Helen C. Sobehart. "He is respected in the athletic community. We are enthusiastic about the talents he will bring to our new position of athletic director."

Clemens replaces Dennis Fox, who had served in a dual role of athletic director and men's basketball coach at Stritch since 1992. Fox, who will remain the men's basketball coach, was instrumental in the addition of sports at Stritch, a change in conference membership, and an increase of department staff to better serve the student athletes.

"Coach Fox has demonstrated an unparalleled work ethic,and an unwavering commitment to Stritch," said Robinson. "We will always be grateful for his service."

Clemens built the women's soccer program from scratch and led the program immediately into collegiate play in the Lake Michigan Conference for one year before moving into the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. The team reached the NAIA regional five out of their first seven years of existence and played in a conference tournament final, but Clemens is most proud of his team's academic success. They have been awarded the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic Award multiple times.

Originally hailing from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Clemens spent 20 years in the Air Force and time in the Milwaukee Kickers organization before finding a home at Stritch.