IUPUC is adding to its Athletics Department with the hiring of an Assistant Athletic Director and a Strength & Conditioning Coach, according to Athletic Director Zach McClellan.

Tyler Wright has been named IUPUC Assistant Athletic Director, responsible for game-day activities, marketing, sports-information and as an academic liaison for athletes. Wright comes to IUPUC from IU Bloomington, where he most recently served as Associate Director of Graduate Student Services. He holds a master’s degree in Recreation & Sport Administration from Western Kentucky University.

Paul Hafen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology at IUPUC, is taking on the role of Strength & Conditioning Coach, in addition to his existing responsibilities. Hafen earned his doctorate in Exercise Physiology from Brigham Young University and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). Hafen is designing comprehensive training regimens to help enhance athletes' strength, speed, power, and overall performance, as well as providing guidance on nutrition and lifestyle choices.

“We are very pleased to welcome Tyler to the Crimson Pride, and to expand Paul’s role to support our athletes,” McClellan said. “It’s an ideal time to grow our staff, as we are adding three new athletics teams for the upcoming school year, and we are officially joining the River States Conference for competition beginning in the fall of 2023.”

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) voted on April 2, 2023, to elevate IUPUC to active status, which is the regular membership status for the NAIA and makes IUPUC eligible for post-season competition.

IUPUC launched its athletics program in fall 2022 as an associate member of the NAIA with men’s and women’s cross country, followed by baseball and softball in spring 2023. IUPUC is adding men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball in 2023-2024.