Curt Long has served as Clarke University Director of Athletics since August 2000. He led the university transition to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Midwest Collegiate Conference (MCC) in 2007, and to the Heart of America Athletic Conference in 2015. Long oversaw the university web streaming initiative and development of a new athletics website. The Marion, Iowa native, organized and implemented the addition of twelve intercollegiate sports including football. 

At Clarke, Long oversaw teams and individuals qualifying for national competition in baseball, soccer, track and field, cross country, and basketball including an NAIA national championship in women’s basketball in 2023. Clarke’s teams rostered a university record 618 student athletes and twenty-one sports in 2023. Long created and implemented the Clarke University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011. He led character development initiatives in which Clarke was recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champions of Character Institution several times. 

Long has been active on numerous national and university committees including NAIA National Administrative Council and Competitive Experience Committee; University Strategic Planning Committee, Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Steering Committee and Student Retention Committee, among others. He also chaired eight Clarke University Holiday Basketball Tournaments. 

Long came to Clarke from Christopher Newport University, Newport News, Virginia, where he served as head baseball coach and director of intramurals from 1994 to 2000. He led the Captains to 150 wins and his teams tied or set school records for wins or winning percentage five times in seven years. Long, who owns 328 collegiate coaching victories, led the construction of a local baseball facility and his teams achieved national recognition in team fielding, scoring, home runs and stolen bases.

Prior to Christopher Newport, Long served as head baseball coach and director of student activities at Mount Mercy College. Like Christopher Newport, Long’s teams tied or set school records for wins or winning percentage five times in seven years. His teams twice led the nation in stolen bases, and the program achieved the college’s first national ranking. Long coached the current NAIA stolen base record holder, Terry Schneekloth, who stole one hundred bases in 1991. 

Long received his Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education from Loras College, his Master of Arts degree in athletics administration from the University of Iowa, and his Education Specialist degree in education administration from George Washington University.  

Long’s hobbies include bicycling, fishing, and running. Curt and his wife, Tracey, have three children: Cam, Meghann, and Gracie.