Former Iowa State AD Bruce Van De Velde Steps Down from Louisiana Tech

Jan 21, 2013; Fairhope AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad wide receiver Quinton Patton of Louisiana Tech (4) pulls in a pass during practice at Fairhope municipal stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa State’s former athletic director will step down from that same position at Louisiana Tech after three years.

The exact reason is unknown for Bruce Van De Velde as he will finish out the academic year and his resignation will be effective on Monday.

“My experience at Louisiana Tech has been both rewarding and challenging,” said Van De Velde in an AP report, who took over in March 2010. “I am proud of my contributions to the competitive and academic success of our student-athletes and coaches.”

Van De Velde spent five total years with the Bulldogs’ program with his first two as a deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer under then-AD Derek Dooley.

Controversy surrounded Louisiana Tech’s football program when Van De Velde didn’t accept an invitation to play in the Shreveport Independence Bowl and leaving them completely out of a postseason bowl despite finishing the season at 9-3 with the highest-ranked offense in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Later, head coach Sonny Dykes left the program to coach at California. Right before that, Van De Velde told the school that “he would not get into a bidding war” with the school and they should “consider another candidate.”

Van De Velde served as Iowa State’s AD from 2000 through 2006 when he then resigned after fan turmoil from the disastrous 2003 year in sports and overall decline in the athletic program from when he took over.