OLLU has selected Tom Norris as its new Athletic Director. A seasoned athletic administrator with a proven track record of successful athletic programs, Norris will oversee the university’s 18 intercollegiate athletic teams. He currently serves as Indiana University Kokomo (IUK) Director of Athletics and will join OLLU on Oct. 2.  

Before joining Indiana University, Norris served as Assistant Athletic Director at St. Mary’s University – an NCAA D2 school located less than three miles from the OLLU campus. 

OLLU President Abel Chávez, PhD, MBA commented, “Aside from his strengths in athletic program development, Tom has impressive experience in athletic policy development and implementation, fundraising, community partnership, promotions and budget and staff management. I am confident he will provide strong leadership for athletics.” 

At IUK, an NAIA university, Norris oversees all aspects of the university’s athletic program by supporting 230 student-athletes and 26 coaches and support staff. He worked closely with community partners and donors and collaborated with the university administration. 

Norris comes to OLLU as only the third Athletic Director in school history. Jack Hank started the program in 2006, and a men’s soccer team and women’s volleyball team began competing in 2007 through the NAIA. The following year, the university added women’s soccer, men’s and women’s golf and tennis. In 2009, OLLU joined the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) and added basketball, cross-country and softball. In 2014, OLLU added baseball and track and field teams. After Shane Hurley became Athletic Director in 2018, he led the addition of competitive cheer and dance in 2019 and drumline in 2022. Hurley returned to his roots to lead the men’s soccer team as Head Coach.

The university now boasts more than 400 student-athletes, 19 full-time coaches and three full-time athletic trainers. 

Norris said, “I look forward to continuing the longstanding success of Our Lady of the Lake Athletics and immersing myself in the OLLU and San Antonio community.”