BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Tony Bankston, a 1991 Illinois Wesleyan graduate and former Titan soccer letterman and head coach, has been named as the school's assistant athletic director and director of the Shirk Athletic Complex.

Bankston will occupy the role held by Mike Wagner, who will become the school's Director of Athletics upon the retirement of Dennie Bridges at the end of July.

Besides managing the athletic facilities, Bankston's responsibilities will include fundraising and student-athlete alumni relations, as well as marketing and promotions of our athletic events.  Mike Wagner commented that "Tony's passion for IWU as well as his unique talents and experiences will be real assets to the athletic department in filling important roles needed to continue our momentum of successes and maintain the importance of service to others."

In six seasons (1994-99) as Illinois Wesleyan's women's soccer coach, Bankston had a 61-44-3 overall record and a 14-17-1 mark in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. As the men's coach his teams were 47-53-4 overall and 10-24-1 in the CCIW.

He began working as an admissions counselor in July 1992, became acting Dean of Admissions in October 2005 and assumed the role in May 2006.
 
President Wilson offered the following comments about this appointment:   "I greatly appreciate Tony's outstanding leadership of the Office of Admissions during my presidency.  His many accomplishments in admissions can be traced to his extensive knowledge of the University, engaging personality, and strong organizational skills.  I have talked with Tony at length and understand his desire to return to Titan athletics to continue his IWU career.  I know he will bring the same enthusiasm and dedication to his new role that has characterized his work in the past. I plan to make an interim appointment as soon as possible from among the senior staff in admissions to provide the leadership that we will need for the approaching recruiting season."  

Bankston, who graduated from Illinois Wesleyan with a double major in English and history, competed in varsity soccer as a student and was active in WESN-FM radio, campus literary magazines and intramural sports. He also volunteered as IWU's football public address announcer for several years, and hosted the "Titan Coaches Corner" show on cable television.

A graduate of Belleville (Ill.) Althoff High School, Bankston is married to Kim (a 1996 IWU graduate) and is the father of four daughters.