Wagner Announces Expanded Leadership Team

New leadership structure comes with varsity sport offerings up to 29

8/26/2025 2:00:00 PM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Illinois Wesleyan University Director of Athletics Mike Wagner announced several promotions within the athletic department as part of a greater restructuring to strengthen Titan athletics in the present and position the department for sustained success.

"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."

At the forefront of the administrative restructuring is a collective effort to meet the needs of Titan student-athletes and its 29 athletic programs in the ever-changing collegiate landscape. Under the leadership of Wagner, Tony Bankston, and Kim Nelson-Brown assumed the roles of Senior Associate Athletic Directors. Katie Gonzales and Lindsey Kellar were elevated to Associate Athletic Directors, while Tyler White joined the leadership team as an Assistant Athletic Director.

Wagner will see an expanded role across campus with additional responsibilities related to alumni relations, recruiting, fundraising, and working with University leadership. He will maintain sport oversight of football, women's volleyball, softball, men's basketball, and flag football while continuing to lead Titan athletics.

Bankston, the Senior Associate AD for Internal & External Operations, is the sport administrator for men's and women's soccer, women's basketball, and baseball. In the day-to-day, he will continue to oversee facilities, while adding compliance oversight to his repertoire in his 33rd year at his alma mater. The department's liaison to admissions, financial aid, and alumni relations, Bankston will continue to serve as the department's point person for recruiting technology and branding.

Entering her 30th season leading the Titan women's volleyball program, Nelson-Brown maintains the title of Senior Woman Administrator alongside her role as Senior Associate AD. Leading efforts in academic support and student-athlete retention, she serves as the liaison between the athletic department and the registrar and dean of students for campus life. Nelson-Brown is the sport administrator for the swimming & diving, bowling, and men's volleyball programs. She also oversees IWU's sports performance department and assists with Title IX compliance.

Gonzales takes on the role of Associate AD for Communications and Marketing. In addition to leading the athletic communications office, a role she has held since 2019, Gonzales will be the sport administrator for men's and women's golf, men's and women's wrestling, and men's lacrosse. She will serve as the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin and NCAA Championships coordinator, while also overseeing Name, Image, & Likeness as well as sponsorships. Gonzales will continue as the department's liaison to University communications and marketing.

Serving as the sport administrator for cross country, track & field, and tennis, Kellar will also oversee the athletic training department in her role as Associate AD for Organizational and Student-Athlete Development while maintaining her title of Associate Dean for Health Sciences. Kellar assumed the role of department chair for physical education, sport, and wellness this fall. She will also continue to lead the department's efforts in leadership and professional development as well as mental health and high performance training. Kellar is the liaison to academic affairs, dean of students, and counseling and consultation service and is also charged with being the onboarding coordinator within the athletic department.

A 2019 Illinois Wesleyan graduate, White rounds out the leadership team as Assistant AD for Department Operations. She is the sport administrator for women's lacrosse and the spirit squad, while serving as a co-administrator for flag football and men's golf. White is the director of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and will continue to oversee club sport and intramurals, along with sport camps & lessons. The assistant academic support administrator, White will also assist in coordinating special events such as the Tommy Awards and the Victory with Honor Senior Banquet. She will be the liaison between the athletic department and financial aid for student workers.

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