BILL KLIKA, Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham Campus
Director of Athletics; Baseball, Football, Men’s Lacrosse Coach – 1974-2017
Bill Klika worked on the Florham campus for 44 years and served in many different roles while at FDU. In 1974, Klika founded the FDU football program and was the head coach of the team from 1974-96 and 2000-01. In addition, from 1974-81 Klika was the assistant coach for the men's lacrosse team and from 1982-88 he was the head coach of the FDU baseball team. In May of 1988, Klika was named Interim Director of Athletics and in December of that year, took over that role in a full time capacity.
As the Director of Athletics at FDU, a role he held from 1989-2017, Klika was vital in the construction of the Ferguson Recreation Center, founded the FDU-Florham Hall of Fame in 1995, added seven varsity sports and oversaw the construction of a new artificial turf field and grandstands now known as Robert T. Shields Field. Under his guidance, the department appeared in the NCAA Tournament 23 times, culminating with a Women's Basketball National Championship in 2014.
In 2012, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) named Klika as the Athletic Director of the Year for the Southeast Region. He was also presented with the Lou Sorrentino Award in the same year, given by the MAC in recognition of commitment to the conference and to NCAA Division III. Klika served on many national, regional and conference committees during his tenure including the NCAA Division III football national committee where he served as Chair during the 2002-03 season, the MAC Executive Council and the NCAA Division III Management Council.
FDU also recognized Klika with the Pillar Award, which recognizes those exceptional individuals who, over time, have made extraordinary contributions to the character and quality of the University, its community and culture.
Today, Klika still is an active member of the FDU community as he is an adjunct professor in the Sport Management department.
Klika was inducted into the FDU-Florham Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021. He also received the inaugural MAC Lou Sorrentino Award in 2012.