BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Wednesday, May 6) -- Longtime associate athletic director Mike Wagner has been named to succeed retiring athletic director Dennie Bridges at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Wagner's appointment comes following a national search to replace Bridges, who will leave the post he has held since 1981 at the end of July. Wagner becomes only the third athletic director in the last 68 years as Jack Horenberger was the school's athletic director from 1947 to 1981 when Bridges took over.

"Mike has played an important role the expansion of IWU's athletic program," said IWU Provost and Dean of the Faculty Jonathan Green, whose office oversees the school's athletic department. "There is no new AD in Division III who is inheriting a program with a greater depth and quality of coaches, athletes, and staff. I know that Mike will continue to uphold the Titan tradition of 'Victory with Honor.' "

"I am thrilled and very thankful to President (Richard) Wilson and Provost Green for affording me this great honor and opportunity," said the 44-year-old Wagner. "I have been a part of Illinois Wesleyan athletics for 23 years and have been so proud of the success of the athletic programs on the fields of play, the classrooms, and in the community.  The support we have from the Bloomington-Normal area, the alumni, and campus is greatly appreciated. My entire family is honored and very humbled to stay a part of the IWU family in this new role.
"It will be an honor to follow in the footsteps of Coach Horenberger and Coach Bridges," Wagner added. "When I first came to IWU, Coach Horenberger made me feel so welcome that before long, I felt like I was a Titan and that has continued throughout my time here. Coach Bridges has given me so many opportunities to develop as an administrator and I would not be in this position today without his mentorship and support."

Wagner, who began working at Illinois Wesleyan in 1992, spent his first 16 years at IWU as an assistant football coach and coordinator of strength training and, in his role of associate athletic director since 2004, has been the event coordinator and facility director of the Shirk Center athletic complex.

In his role as associate athletic director, he assisted Bridges in all facets of department operation from fundraising initiatives, personnel decisions, operational structure, budget, gender equity compliance, marketing and promotions, and NCAA compliance.

"We are both pleased and proud to appoint Mike Wagner as the athletic director at Illinois Wesleyan," said Wilson. "He has extensive experience as a coach and athletic administrator and an abiding commitment to what it means to be a student athlete at a Division III liberal arts college. Over the last decade, Mike has worked hard not only to meet the athletic and recreational needs of the University but also to meet the University's commitment to the community, particularly in terms of the use of facilities comprising the Shirk Athletic Complex. Those who know Mike well will attest that he is a devoted Titan and diligent about addressing the needs of student athletes, coaches, and the University as a whole."

In addition to home events, Wagner has coordinated over 75 outside events per year to generate revenue for the University and athletic department.

Wagner was the primary IWU staff member in the coordination of hosting the NCAA Division III national volleyball tournaments in 2007 and 2008; the national women's basketball finals in 2010 and 2011; the national indoor track championships in 2000 and 2005; and the inaugural Division III national women's golf championship in 2000.
In addition, he has been the director of 28 NCAA regional and/or sectional competitions including men's and women's basketball, softball, baseball, football, and women's soccer.

As the Director of Strength and Speed since 2007, Wagner supervises the head strength coach and assistant strength coaches while managing and assisting in all aspects of the IWU Fitness Center.

He has also served as advisor to IWU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), instituting community outreach programs, working with the faculty representatives and administrators on academic issues and serving as co-director of the annual Tommy Awards (student-athlete recognition banquet).

"We have an incredible group of coaches and staff that are very dedicated to the success of their teams and players, not only on the field of play, but also in the classroom and in community service," said Wagner. "I look forward to supporting and providing leadership in all of their endeavors. I want to enhance our academic and athletic successes as well as the experiences of the student-athletes during their time as a Titan. More importantly, I want to emphasize to our student-athletes to strive to not only be successful in their respective sports and in the classroom, but to make sure they become impactful, productive citizens that make a difference in the lives of others."
 
He is the current chair of the Bloomington-Normal Sports Commission advisory board, representing Illinois Wesleyan and the community in attracting, and retaining athletic events for the area, and serves on a number of campus committees.

From 2008 to 2011 Wagner was chair of the NCAA national women's golf committee, helping determine teams for the Division III championships and supervising at the national tournaments. He was on the regional women's golf committee from 2006 to 2011.

A native of Wildwood, Ill., and a graduate of Gurnee Warren Township High School, Wagner graduated in 1992 from Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill., with a bachelor's degree in biology.

Wagner won four letters in football at Augustana and earned honorable mention All-American status from Don Hansen's Football Gazette as a senior in 1991. That same year he was an all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin linebacker for the Vikings and the teams he played on won three CCIW titles and appeared in three NCAA Division III playoffs.

An associate professor at Illinois Wesleyan, Wagner earned a master's degree in exercise science at Illinois State University in 1994.

Wagner and his wife, Beth (also a former Augustana athlete), are parents of a daughter Rebecca and a son Matthew.