EIU MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY OR SPORTS ADMINISTRATION

Sports Administration Alumni

Joe Kripp, CSCS, USAW (M.S. 2015: Sports Administration) is currently the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at University of Nebraska-Kearney

My current job title is the director of sport performance at the Univeristy of Nebraska-Kearney. I enjoyed the hands on experiences I was able to receive while enrolled in my Master's degree at EIU. I was able to develop relationships with coaches and instructors that I continue to use. EIU offered me an opportunity to learn from active professionals in my field and develop mentorship relationships with these professionals. I truly believe my skills learned in and out of the classroom have been paramount to my success.

Kelly Kessler (M.S. 2014: Sports Administration) is currently the aquatic supervisor for the city of Plano, Texas Parks & Recreation

I develop, organize, and direct the aquatics department at the City of Plano, Texas Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center. One of my roles is to set and achieve standards of program delivery that assure the highest quality programs. In addition, I oversees regular maintenance, repair, and operations of the pool. I loved the EIU KSR department because it was a great environment to learn in and the professors were all very friendly, helpful and encouraging in my time I spent there.

Colin Yording (M.S. 2008: Sports Administration) is currently the general manager of Equinox Fitness Club in Lincoln Park, Illinois

I manage the club’s revenue and expense goals, administer the continued career development of the staff, and maintain Equinox’s high level of customer service. In addition, I oversee all program revenue and expense goals and implement and support company programs and promotions to help generate new sales leads for optimum new membership growth. Furthermore, I maximize member retention by ensuring high levels of customer service, cleanliness, a variety of innovative and educational programs, continual upgrades and responsiveness to member feedback.

Rachel Hansen (M.S. 2013: Sports Administration) is currently the assistant athletic director for marketing & promotions at Tulane University

I oversee all aspects of marketing and promotions for the Tulane University Athletics Department. I handle all media buys and placing of advertisements. I am responsible for all marketing collateral, including posters, schedule cards, ticket booklets, brochures, etc. My staff and I are responsible for all in game entertainment and promotions for all sports. I work hand in hand with the ticket office on promotional nights and themes.  I loved EIU and the KSR department because the professors had the ability to make classes more than just lectures and tests. They brought real world case studies and allowed us to come up with our own solutions. I am able to use what I learned in those classes in my job today. I also very much enjoyed my study abroad trip to England where I was able to study sport for two weeks. 

Tasha Buchmiller (M.S. 2014: Sports Administration) is currently an academic advisor at Indiana University

I provide support through academic advising and leadership life skills programming. I assist in developing a comprehensive individualized and career oriented academic plans in compliance with University/NCAA/Conference rules and benchmarks in mind. I foster development of each student-athlete in a holistic approach by providing multiple opportunities in our Leadership and Life skills department, but also act as a liaison with campus resources as well. From the moment I stepped foot on campus, I was greeted with warmth and support. With small class sizes, I was able to develop strong mentorship relationships with my professors, and it was through these relationships that I was able to obtain such a variety of individualized professional experience. I was supported and empowered to reach all my goals academically and professionally. I am happy to be a panther, and I would not have had such a great experience had it not been for the staff in the KSR department. 

Andre Allen (M.S. 2014: Sports Administration) is currently an academic advisor at Illinois State University

I was awarded a graduate assistantship as an academic advisor within the Gateway Program at EIU, which allowed me the opportunity to pursue a Master’s of Science degree in Sports Administration. This position grants me the autonomy to assist student’s transition to the university. My caseload ranges from 300-350 students per academic year primarily made up of freshman, continuing, and transfer students. My goal is to help students select a major and/or minor that will translate to their desired career path. I enjoyed my time as a graduate student within the Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation program at EIU. It allowed me to grow both academically and professionally. I was able to complete two internships within the EIU athletic department during my time in the program. The faculty was very supportive of my goals and allowed me to thrive as a person. I am still connected with many people from my cohort as well as the faculty. These are relationships that I will have for a lifetime. I owe this program a lot as it has given me the transferable skills and education to be successful in life. ALWAYS BLEED BLUE!!!

Ben Turner (M.S. 2010: Sports Administration) is currently the associate sports information director at Purdue University

The EIU KSR graduate program proved to be the perfect fit for my postgrad education while I was serving as a graduate assistant with EIU athletics. The faculty was always very kind and helpful, providing insight and a lot of different viewpoints in the classroom interactions. There was an understanding that we were all working in some capacity at the same time and didn’t overburden students with busy work. Eastern Illinois University treated me very well in many aspects during my undergraduate and postgrad experiences. Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation was a big part of that.

Dale Kolnity (M.S. 2015: Sports Administration) is currently the assistant director for intramural sports at Binghamton University

I am currently serving as the Assistant Director for Intramural Sports at Binghamton University. I was fortunate enough to spend two years with the EIU KSR Department while gaining experience as a graduate assistant within the campus recreation center. I greatly appreciated the willingness of the KSR faculty to engage students and challenge them to become better within their own fields. Inside the classroom they fostered an environment of learning, collaboration and open communication. While outside the classroom students were completing internships all over the country and in different segment of the sport industry. The faculty and entire EIU community did an excellent job preparing me for my professional future in campus recreation.

Lynde (Dobson) Pavich (M.S. 2006: Sports Administration) is currently the Area Director for Special Olympics Illinois Area 17

I am currently the Area Director for Special Olympics, IL Area 17 serving athletes in Sangamon, Menard Morgan and Macoupin Counties. We serve 600 plus athletes by offering many different sporting opportunities throughout the year.  I am currently in charge of all Area 17 sporting events, fundraising, athlete outreach and volunteer requirement for our area.  During my time at EIU as KSR grad student, I was able to work as a Graduate Assistant with the Campus Recreation Department.  The education offered coupled with the work experience that I obtained while at EIU has opened many doors and created endless opportunities to apply my knowledge and fulfill my passion for sports.   

Kate Stake (M.S. 2007: Sports Administration) is currently the head softball coach at Valparaiso University (Indiana)

I am currently the head softball coach at Valparaiso University (Indiana).  I led the Crusaders to the NCAA tournament during my second season in 2016.  I studied sports administration for one academic year while serving as a softball graduate assistant during the 2007 season. Following graduation in the summer of 2007, I served as a full-time assistant coach for the EIU Softball program during the 2008 and 2009 seasons before moving on to serve as an assistant coach at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.

Bridgette Underwood (M.S. 2021: Sports Administration) is currently the Media Relation Intern at the University of Florida

   Since graduating form EIU I have accepted a position at the University of Florida working in their athletic  department. I am currently the Sport Information Director for the Nationally ranked men's and women's swim and dive teams here at Florida. I write previews, recaps, and features for the Gators swim and dive programs as well as stat for the volleyball team amongst also working with the football program here as well.

Getting my masters degree in sports administration at EIU and having my graduate assistantship position in media relations has provided me with multiple tools that I need to be successful in the sports information world as well as in my personal life. I wouldn't have gotten to Florida with out the help of my supervisors in the media relations department and the help of me fellow graduate assistants in media relations. Dr. Brown and Dr. Gard along with all of my other professors I have had, have been amazing and have helped me more than they will know. I will be forever grateful for what EIU has given me in terms of guidance, education, and friendships. Go Panthers!