Marcus Clarke joined the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) as a Senior Associate Commissioner in 2015 after serving as the Director of Athletics at Shaw University.
He currently serves as Deputy Commissioner for Business development and has oversight of CIAA business development opportunities, and the alignment of all initiatives and operations with the CIAA Strategic Plan. He continues to serve as the primary lead with overall management of the Men's and Women's Championship Basketball Tournament.
Clarke arrived at Shaw University as the Director of Compliance in 2002 and in 2009 served as Interim Athletic Director, before being officially named to that role in 2013.
“I am thrilled to have Marcus become a part of the staff,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams in 2015. “He is no stranger to the family and he will be a great asset in moving the conference through its strategic vision.”
During his time at Shaw and Virginia Union University, Clarke played a major role with over 30 CIAA Championship teams and one NCAA National Championship team.
“I’ve been fortunate,” Clarke said. “I’ve had the chance to do a number of things, and I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of a lot of successful teams and programs. Continuing to serve in the conference and having an impact on the student-athlete experience, while supporting the vision and mission of the CIAA, has been rewarding.”
From 2021-25, Clarke was appointed to the NCAA Division II Management Council, which reported directly to the Executive Council, tasked with recommending administrative policy and regulations that govern the division. Clarke also served on the NCAA Division II Championships Committee, which is responsible for administering policies and procedures surrounding the division’s 25 championships. Clarke has served as the President of the CIAA Director of Athletics and first Vice-President of the CIAA Management Council. He has chaired numerous CIAA sports committees and also served on the NCAA Division II Committee for Legislative Relief.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, Clarke served as a medic from 1983-1986. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, he began his collegiate career in athletics in 1992 as the head athletic trainer at Virginia Union. He later assumed the positions of head track & field and cross-country coach and eventually the director of compliance.
Clarke was born and raised in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. In 1996, he served as the athletic trainer for the British Virgin Islands Olympic team, and was responsible for the care and injury prevention of the track & field athletes in the delegation. Clarke lives in Charlotte with his wife Sabrina and is the father of two adult children, Marissa (daughter) and Maurice (son).