NFF John L. Toner Award Recipients
Biography
As the sixth director of athletics in Air Force history, Colonel John Clune played a major role in enhancing the extensive Air Force Academy athletic and physical education program.
A 1954 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Clune was no stranger to the world of athletics. He was an All- America basketball player at Navy, who held scoring records that lasted for 30 years.
A native of Jersey City, New Jersey, Clune graduated from St. Peter's High School where he earned all-state honors in basketball. He earned a master's degree in electrical engineering from Southern California and completed the Armed Forces Staff College in 1959 and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1972.
Clune served as president of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and as a member of the NCAA's Postseason Football Committee. He is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the College Football Association and served as chairman of the NCAA Voting Committee.
He arranged for the Academy to become a member of the Western Athletic Conference, the first service academy to join a conference. He was responsible for initiating a 10-sport intercollegiate program for women when the first class was admitted in 1976. Once joining the WAC, Col. Clune served on the Compliance Committee, Finance Committee and the Extra Events Committee.
He was also instrumental in working with Colorado Springs civic leaders in bringing the Olympic Training Center, Olympic House and two Olympic Sports Festivals to Colorado Springs. He served as the president of the Air Force Academy Athletic Association and was one of the 10 board members designated by Congress to serve on the Academy Board, which is the governing body of the Air
Force Academy.
While in the military, Clune was rated as a senior missleman. Among his military decorations the Legion of Merit, two Meritorious Service Medals and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Colonel Clune died of Cancer in 1992 after serving 16 years as the director of athletics at Air Force. He is survived by his wife Pat, who currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
