McLean County Times

Illinois Wesleyan University has announced a series of promotions and changes within its athletic department, aiming to enhance support for student-athletes and prepare the program for future challenges. The restructuring, led by Director of Athletics Mike Wagner, is intended to address the needs of the university’s 29 athletic programs.

"I am really excited about the leadership team we have assembled, and the impact this will have on our department," Wagner said. "This group is talented in their crafts, but most importantly is committed to the complete student-athlete experience. They are incredible humans that have earned the trust and respect of others in and around our IWU community. This reorganization will allow us to better serve our coaches and student-athletes in a more holistic way so we can better pursue excellence in academics, athletics, and service to others."

The new structure places emphasis on collaboration among administrators to adapt to ongoing changes in collegiate sports. Wagner will take on additional responsibilities involving alumni relations, recruiting, fundraising, and working with university leadership while maintaining oversight of several sports including football, women’s volleyball, softball, men’s basketball, and flag football.

Tony Bankston has been named Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal & External Operations. He continues as sport administrator for men’s and women’s soccer, women’s basketball, and baseball. Bankston also oversees facilities management and compliance while serving as liaison for admissions, financial aid, alumni relations, recruiting technology, and branding.

Kim Nelson-Brown enters her 30th season leading the women’s volleyball program while also serving as Senior Woman Administrator and Senior Associate AD. She leads academic support initiatives and student-athlete retention efforts. Nelson-Brown acts as liaison between athletics and both the registrar's office and dean of students for campus life. Her responsibilities include overseeing swimming & diving, bowling, men’s volleyball programs as well as sports performance and Title IX compliance.

Katie Gonzales has been promoted to Associate AD for Communications and Marketing. She will continue directing athletic communications—a role she has held since 2019—and now adds administration over men’s/women’s golf, wrestling teams, men’s lacrosse; coordination with conference/NCAA championships; oversight of Name-Image-Likeness (NIL) matters; sponsorships; plus acting as liaison with university communications.

Lindsey Kellar assumes duties as Associate AD for Organizational & Student-Athlete Development while remaining Associate Dean for Health Sciences. Kellar oversees cross country/track & field/tennis programs along with athletic training operations. She chairs physical education/sport/wellness departments; manages leadership/professional development programming; mental health/high performance training; serves as liaison to academic affairs/dean of students/counseling services; coordinates onboarding processes within athletics.

Tyler White joins the leadership team as Assistant AD for Department Operations after graduating from Illinois Wesleyan in 2019. White administers women’s lacrosse/spirit squad programs; co-administers flag football/men's golf; directs Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; supervises club sports/intramurals/sport camps/lessons; assists with special events like Tommy Awards/Victory with Honor Banquet; acts as assistant academic support administrator; liaises between athletics/financial aid regarding student workers.