Telegram & Gazette: Moulton Reminisces In Homestretch

By Jennifer Toland, Telegram & Gazette Staff

WORCESTER —  Linda Moulton doesn’t like the word “retirement.” Rather, she likes to think of the end of her 23-year run as Clark University’s director of athletics as “moving to a new phase” of her life.

“People who know me know I won’t sit still for long,” Moulton said.

Moulton’s last day, Jan. 31, is quickly approaching, and she has spent the last couple of weeks packing up more than two decades’ worth of paperwork, programs and mementos. The neat stack of boxes in her second-floor office at Kneller Athletic Center is getting pretty high.

“I know I haven’t fully processed (retiring) because it’s such a busy time of year,” Moulton said, “and I certainly have mixed emotions. I’m excited about what’s next, what’s next for Clark, the changes that will take place and the good things that will continue to grow and make us better.”

Sean Sullivan, the assistant dean of student affairs for athletics and recreation at York College in Pennsylvania for the past seven years, will assume duties as Clark’s AD Feb. 1.

“I’ve had some good conversations with him,” Moulton said. “I think he will be a tremendous asset to Clark. I’m thrilled for him.” Sullivan’s hiring came just a couple of months after David Angel was installed as Clark’s new president in September. Davis Baird became the university’s provost in August.

“There are a lot of new people with new ideas,” Clark women’s soccer coach Joe Brady said, “and hopefully it’s going to be an exciting transition for everybody. I think our future can be promising.”

Moulton replaced Wally Halas as Clark’s AD in 1987. She was previously director of athletics at Wellesley College, associate director of athletics at Smith and athletic administrative consultant at William & Mary. Moulton was Worcester’s second female college AD, after Assumption’s Rita Castagna.

Moulton’s achievements at Clark include the increase in full-time head coaches and the establishment of Friends of Clark Athletics and the Clark University Athletic Hall of Fame. She was instrumental in the Granger Field Complex project, which included the construction of Dolan Field House and improvements to the Corash Tennis Courts and baseball, field hockey, lacrosse and soccer fields. She spearheaded the building of the Bickman Fitness Center and two major renovations to the Kneller Athletic Center. Another one, the remodeling of the building’s lobby, is under way.

“She has worked tirelessly,” Brady said, “and she has been a big part of the changes with facilities and full-time coaches.”

Clark competed as an independent when Moulton arrived at the school. In 1993, Clark’s men’s team entered the Constitution Athletic Conference and its women’s teams the New England Women’s Eight Conferences. The NEWMAC, Clark’s current conference, was formed in 1998.

“I think getting us aligned in the conference we’re in now was significant,” Moulton said. “Being with the other NEWMAC schools pushes us to a level of excellence that we really need to be pushed toward. Of all the things, I do feel really good about that.”

During Moulton’s reign, eight teams represented Clark at NCAA tournaments, including the men’s and women’s basketball teams, which have each made five appearances.

“You have to feel proud about our teams’ accomplishments,” Moulton said. “The NCAAs — there’s something very special about that.”

Overseeing the Clark Tournament, the high school basketball extravaganza now in its 72nd year, has also been a source of pride.

“She always did a great job,” said Bill Gibbons Sr., who has been affiliated with the Clark Tournament since 1953, when he was a freshman at Clark. “Everything always had to be first class.”

Gibbons also worked with Moulton on the Clark Hall of Fame committee. “It was the same thing,” Gibbons said. “Everything was a first-class affair.”

Moulton grew up in the Midwest and earned degrees from Eastern Illinois University and Northeastern. She played sports from a young age and decided when she was in high school that she wanted to pursue a career in athletics.

“My parents,” Moulton said, “they deserve the credit. They never said, ‘You’re a girl so you have to do this.’ They encouraged me to do what I wanted.”

Moulton, who lives in Worcester, plans to stay in the area for now. She’s going to take a few months off, attend the Clark Tournament as a spectator, visit friends around the country, then figure out what’s next.

“I think I still have the passion,” Moulton said, “and a fairly high energy level.”

Moulton is attending her final NCAA convention as Clark AD this week, and well-wishes from past Clark athletes have been coming in, so the reality of her upcoming “new phase” is settling in.

“We’ve had so many great kids go through here,” Moulton said. “Hearing from them makes you understand and appreciate the impact we all have on them.

“There are so many great things to remember. There are always challenges, but it’s been a great run. I’m just thrilled I had the opportunity.”