EIU Media Relations

EIU Athletic Director Search Advances; Names of Finalists Released

Five individuals have been invited to participate in on-campus interviews as Eastern Illinois University moves forward in its search for the institution's next athletic director.

The EIU Athletic Director Search Advisory Committee received more than 50 applications for the position, according to committee chair Mary Anne Hanner. Telephone interviews were conducted with 10 semi-finalists, and five were chosen to participate in on-campus interviews. While schedules are still being finalized, it is anticipated that those interviews will begin in mid-February.

Finalists, in alphabetical order, are Jean A. Berger, Barbara A. Burke, Bruce Van De Velde, Terry L. Wanless and Vaughn A. Williams.

"The AD search advisory committee was pleased to recommend these five highly qualified candidates to Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs, for campus interviews," Hanner said. "The committee felt that these individuals possess the experiences, ideas and perspectives that are representative of a successful AD at EIU."

Jean A. Berger has been with Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, since August 1991, and currently serves as associate athletic director for student services/senior woman administrator. She has also served as assistant athletic director for internal affairs/SWA (1992-2005) and assistant sports information director (1991-1992). Previously, Berger served as assistant sports information director for Wichita State University, Wichita, Kan. (1990-1991) and sports information director at Wayne State College, Wayne, Neb. (1985-1990).

She received both her bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in physical education and sports studies from The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Barbara A. Burke has been with The University of Wyoming, Laramie, since March 1998, and currently serves as deputy director of athletics/SWA. She has also served as senior associate director of athletics/SWA (2001-2006) and associate director of athletics/SWA (1998-2001). Previously, Burke served as associate director of athletics/SWA at the University of Texas at El Paso (1997-1998); associate director of athletics/SWA at Marshall University, Huntington, W.Va. (1994-1997); and senior women's administrator/women's head basketball/softball coach at West Virginia State College, Institute, W.Va. She has also taught and/or coached at Indiana University Southeast, New Albany; Cornerstone College (formerly Grand Rapids Baptist College), Grand Rapids, Mich.; Clearwater Christian College, Clearwater, Fla.; Tennessee Temple University, Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Kalamazoo Central High School, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Burke received her bachelor's degree in physical education and coaching from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mich., and her master's degree in education/administration of athletics from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Bruce Van De Velde, who currently serves as director of development at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo., previously served as director of athletics at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa (2000-2006); senior associate athletic director for external affairs, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Okla. (1999-2000); director of athletics, Utah State University, Logan, Utah (1998-1999); associate athletic director for development, University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo. (1997-1998); and associate athletic director for football operations, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan. (1992-1997). He gained coaching/recruiting experience at Tulane University, New Orleans; The University of Iowa, Iowa City; Dana College, Blair, Neb.; and Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln.

He received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Iowa State University, Ames, and his master's degree in physical education from The University of Iowa, Iowa City. He has also completed work toward a doctorate in education administration from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan.

Terry L. Wanless, director of intercollegiate athletics at Sacramento State, Sacramento, Calif., previously served as director of intercollegiate athletics, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks (1990-1999); director of intercollegiate athletics at Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, N.C. (1986-1990); and in numerous athletic positions at Towson State University, Baltimore, Md. (1973-1986). He was engaged in a private business from 1999 to 2002.

Wanless received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Black Hills State University, his master's degree in physical education from Northern Illinois University, and his doctorate in athletic administration from Temple University.

Vaughn A. Williams, associate director of athletics/facilities management and planning at the University of Connecticut, previously served as assistant athletic director/operations and facilities, for the Boston College Athletic Association (1998-2004); associate athletic director/business affairs and operations, University of Toledo (1996-1998); director of finance, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Utah (1994-1996); and assistant director of finance, University of Utah (1993-1994).

Williams holds a bachelor's degree in sports management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass., and a master's degree in administrative studies from Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Mass.

A tentative timeline for the athletic director's search at Eastern has a new athletic director scheduled to begin employment in July. Additional information about the search will be posted on the Student Affairs Web page ( http://www.eiu.edu/stuaff ).

Ken Baker, who has served as director of Campus Recreation at Eastern since 2000, is currently serving as full-time interim athletic director.