Scott Seibring introduced Mike Wagner, Illinois Wesleyan’s Athletic Director since 2015. Wagner has been at IWU since 1992 and is the University’s 4th Athletic Director over the past 60 years. Wagner began by recognizing our club for all we do in the community and talked about community involvement opportunities for IWU's student athletes with local food pantries, Special Olympics and St. Jude.
Wagner went on to share how IWU Athletics has had a great start to the year.
Women’s Golf won the Women’s Golf Championship.
Men’s Soccer team won the Men’s Soccer Championship.
The Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams went to the CCIW Conference and won the tournament.
Wagner shared an update on new athletic offerings at IWU.
Women’s Cross Country began in the fall of 2023.
Men’s and Women’s Wrestling began this year for the first time (out of 8 students, 2 made All-Conference).
Four years ago, IWU added Men’s Volleyball and Women’s Bowling
IWU is adding a new sport called “Stunt” which includes gymnastics and cheering competitions.
Wagner talked about how IWU is committed to both academics and athletics.
IWU is in the top ten of all universities in producing Academic All-Americans.
50% of IWU students are student athletes.
There are no student fees for involvement in athletics.
Renovations and new buildings for 26 sports are funded by private donations at Illinois Wesleyan.
Wagner is proud of all the options available to athletes in the Bloomington-Normal community between Heartland Community College, Illinois Wesleyan and Illinois State University and applauded the mutual respect among these educational institutions for both Men’s and Women’s athletics. To learn more about IWU Athletics, visit: Illinois Wesleyan University Athletics - Official Athletics Website (iwusports.com)
Announcements
Mike Laffey announced that all are welcome to gather informally on Monday, April 1st at 12pm for lunch at Parkview Inn to thank Rick McCormick for his work at Pancake Days.
Cathy Oloffson gave an update on club bracket standings.
President: Matt Hawkins President-Elect: Scott Seibring Vice-President: Kathleen Lorenz Immediate Past President: Paula Pratt Treasurer: Scott Davis Secretary: Gail Dobbins Asst. Secretary: Andrea Raycraft 2022-2024 Directors: Rick Mehall, Dean Messinger, Ben Mitzelfelt, Cathy Oloffson,
Steve Timmerman 2023-2025 Directors: Alyx Merrit, Sonya Weber, Bob Freitag, Paul Lawrence
