Irish Citizen of the Year 2024

Every year since 1978, The Athletic Club and now the Athletic Club Foundation has selected an Irish Citizen of the Year. This honor goes to a man or woman who exemplifies the spirit of their Irish heritage through their continued service to the Indianapolis community, to their family and other selfless acts that personify being Irish.

2024 IRISH CITIZEN OF THE YEAR – FRED GLASS

2024 Irish Citizen of the Year-Fred Glass With a name like “Glass,” Fred expects some may question his credentials to qualify as an “Irish Citizen.” He is quick to point out that in addition to his namesake German grandfather, his other three grandparents were Irish: O’Brien, Brady, and Mattingly. His most recent connection to the old sod was his great-grandmother, Mary Moran, who was born in Roskeen, County Mayo and emigrated to the United States in 1871. Fred has made five trips to Ireland with family and friends, so far.

The roles most important to Fred are husband, father, and grandfather. He has been married for 41 years to a lass of Irish descent, Barbara Lannan Glass, who among other things serves as the president of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. They have four children: Katie, Joe, Connor, and George, plus Katie’s husband Tom Askey who is like a son to them. They have five grandchildren: Betsy Askey, Ellie Askey, Anna Rose Askey, Lucy Glass, and Eli Glass. Fred and Barbara are life-long residents of Indianapolis.

Fred is a prominent Indianapolis attorney and civic leader who has served his city and state in a variety of ways.

On October 1, 2022, he became the president and chief executive officer of Gleaners Food Bank, the largest food bank in Indiana and one of the most respected food banks in the national Feeding America Network.

He has practiced law at two of the city’s leading law firms: most recently, Taft Law for two years and previously for 15 years at Baker & Daniels (now Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath) where he also served as chair of the firm’s management committee. While at each law firm, he was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America.

In between his law firm partnerships, Fred served as vice president and athletic director for Indiana University from January, 2009, through its Bicentennial Year ending in June, 2020. During his tenure, he led a cultural and physical rebuilding of the athletic department including record-setting academic, athletic, fundraising, fiscal management, and facility successes, as well as a nationally-recognized commitment to rules compliance and the holistic development of the students under his charge.

Before becoming the AD at IU and while still at Baker & Daniels, Fred served as president of the Marion County Capital Improvement Board where he led successful negotiations to keep the Colts in Indianapolis, regularly host NCAA Final Fours, develop what became Lucas Oil Stadium, and dramatically expand the Indiana Convention Center. Fred also led the effort for Indianapolis to host the Super Bowl, laying the groundwork for its successful 2012 bid.

Fred previously served as chief of staff to Indiana Governor Evan Bayh and was a law clerk for Judge S. Hugh Dillin for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. He graduated from Indiana University in 1981, and its McKinney School of Law in 1984, cum laude.

His memoir, Making Your Own Luck: From a Skid Row Bar to Rebuilding Indiana University Athletics, is a powerful story focusing on personal empowerment and values-based leadership. Fred writes movingly about his father’s efforts to feed the hungry at his bar, including a young Fred and his family having holiday dinners at the bar with patrons who had nowhere else to go.

Fred serves and has served on a variety of civic, legal, educational, political, and sports-related boards and projects, including: Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School Board of Trustees (Chair); Indiana Sports Corporation Board; Indianapolis College Football Playoff Board; Indianapolis Athletic Club Sports Foundation Advisory Board; Indiana Clinton/Gore Presidential Campaign (Chair); Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson Transition Team (Chair); and Indiana Lieutenant Governor Kathy Davis Transition Team (Chair).

Fred’s service has been recognized through a variety of awards including: the Indiana University President’s Medal for Excellence; Distinguished Alumni Award from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law; Marian University Clayton Family Circle of Honor; Indiana Daily Student Trevor R. Brown Award; Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School President’s Medal; Fred McCashland Outstanding Brebeuf Jesuit Alumnus Award; Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee Charles L. Whistler Award; Archdiocese of Indianapolis Spirit of Service Community Service Award; St. Thomas More Society Man for all Seasons Award; National Catholic Education Association Distinguished Graduate Award (St. Thomas Aquinas School); and Indianapolis Business Journal’s 20 Most Influential City Leaders.

Fred is flattered, honored, and excited to be the 2024 Irish Citizen of the Year.