KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Former Kutztown University president Dr. David E. McFarland has been named the recipient of the 2024 Kutztown University Athletics Legacy Award. McFarland will be presented with the award during the university's Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Friday, Nov. 8.

McFarland served as president for 15 years, from 1987 to 2002. He has coauthored multiple books on educational and engineering subjects and has written articles for scholarly and professional journals on topics such as academic success and student athletes, effective teaching, academic advising and engineering.

Prior to his arrival, KU won six state championships in its 95-year athletic history. KU's athletic department experienced great success under McFarland's leadership, winning 19 conference championships across six sports and posting three top 30 National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors (NACDA) Division II Directors' Cup finishes.

The Golden Bears' highest finish during McFarland's tenure was 25th in 1995-96, which was the first year the Directors' Cup was awarded in Division II. The award recognizes the top all-around athletic departments in the country, achieving success in many sports, both men's and women's.

Kutztown claimed three individual national championships during McFarland's presidency, with Claudine Gruver becoming the school's first female national champion by winning the 100- and 200-yard backstroke titles at the 1997 NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Championships. Tara Crozier of the women's track & field team became a national champion in the hammer throw later that spring. Additionally, KU produced more than 100 All-Americans with McFarland at the helm.

Athletic success under McFarland's leadership was closely mirrored by academic success and support for the department. Funding increased along with student-athlete GPAs. Kutztown claimed eight Academic All-Americans between 1993-2001.

McFarland led multiple new building projects on campus, and in 2002, the university's Council of Trustees renamed the Student Union Building the David E. McFarland Student Union Building in honor of the university's outgoing president. Current athletic facilities that came to fruition under McFarland's leadership included O'Pake Fieldhouse (indoor track & field/intramural sports/commencement ceremonies/special events) and the North Campus Fields (baseball/softball).

Prior to KU, McFarland served as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Central Missouri State University. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in aeronautical engineering from Wichita State University in Kansas and received a Doctor of Philosophy in engineering mechanics from the University of Kansas. He also served as the dean and professor of engineering technology at Pittsburgh State University in Kansas.

Established in 2019, the Kutztown University Athletics Legacy Award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the KU athletic department and the university through their time, dedication, commitment, philanthropy and/or general support.

Honorees for the KU Athletics Legacy Award may be nominated by the public, the Golden Bear community and the selection committee. The selection committee consists of KU's vice president for Athletics, executive director of the Kutztown University Foundation, Hall of Fame committee chair, athletic director, associate director of Athletic Advancement and a representative of the Alumni Engagement staff.

The 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is scheduled for the evening of Friday, Nov. 8, at the Nancy Jean Stump Seiger '54 Room inside the McFarland Student Union Building.

Registration for the event is now open and tickets can be purchased by clicking here. Tickets are $40 for adults and $15 for children ages 3-12. Children 2 and under are complimentary. The evening begins with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the induction ceremony at 7 p.m.