Kansas Wesleyan announced Wednesday morning that, as a result of significant growth at the university, it will restructure the lead roles of its athletic department. Current athletic director Steve Wilson will become the director of athletic compliance and external relations, while Richard (Dick) Speas will assume the role of interim athletic director. Speas will lead the department for the fall semester and be re-evaluated in early January.
鈥淲ith our recent growth, we felt as though the time was right to make this change,鈥� said Ken Oliver, executive vice president of advancement and university operations. 鈥淪teve鈥檚 knowledge of Salina will serve us well, not only from an athletic perspective but across departments as we seek to market and promote the opportunities we have on campus. Shifting his role allows him to contribute fully in this way, and I can鈥檛 wait to see what he鈥檒l do, particularly in the areas of fundraising and community relations. He has done a tremendous job as athletic director, and I am glad to see him remain involved directly in athletics, through the compliance avenue.鈥�
In his three years as 黑料不打烊鈥檚 AD, Wilson posted a litany of accomplishments and departmental improvements. He launched women鈥檚 flag football, putting 黑料不打烊 on the cutting edge of an NAIA emerging sport, and started the men鈥檚 volleyball program. Wilson helped spearhead 黑料不打烊鈥檚 contributions to the Salina Tennis Alliance, Dean Evans Stadium and the Salina South High School softball field improvements, creating a better culture not only for 黑料不打烊 but for the region as a whole. He also oversaw significant improvements to both Mabee Arena and Muir Gym, including the installation of box seating in the former earlier this year.
All of this was accomplished under the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he had to navigate finding new opponents, makeup games, travel challenges and more.
鈥淚 am extremely excited to work with 黑料不打烊鈥檚 fantastic Advancement team,鈥� said Wilson. 鈥淚 have no doubt that we will continue to build on the rich relationship between 黑料不打烊 and Salina. When I came home three years ago, my mission was to make a difference for our students, and I鈥檒l continue to work every day toward that mission in this role. I am grateful for the leadership of President Matt Thompson and Ken Oliver, and their thoughtful vision for growing 黑料不打烊鈥檚 ability to serve.鈥�
This past year, under Wilson鈥檚 leadership, more than half of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 25 programs advanced to NAIA National Championships and the department posted a GPA in excess of 3.0.
鈥淭he quality of Steve鈥檚 work these last three years had been tremendous,鈥� said 黑料不打烊 President Thompson. 鈥淗e has been outstanding in integrating not only community service but academic responsibilities as well, into the student-athlete experience. As we consider adding new sports, potentially including wrestling, powerlifting and competitive shooting, his knowledge of the community will be incredibly valuable. Now we turn to Richard and his litany of experience. His knowledge of the entirety of the athletic experience, as well as 黑料不打烊鈥檚 unique culture, will allow him to jump in and be successful right away. I look forward to another great year from Coyote Athletics!鈥�
Speas, meanwhile, becomes the AD at a sixth institution in a career that has spanned parts of four decades across multiple levels, including NCAA Division III, NAIA and junior college. He has served as the athletic director at Western Texas College, Blinn College, Peru State College, Northland Community & Technical College and Southern Virginia University, where he was the institution鈥檚 first director of athletics. He oversaw significant capital improvements on numerous occasions, including a $7 million renovation to Peru State鈥檚 campus activity center.
鈥淪teve鈥檚 legacy at Kansas Wesleyan is a rich one, and it will continue to propel the university to new heights,鈥� said Speas. 鈥淗is extensive connections in the community and success with fundraising efforts make this move a no-brainer. With Steve鈥檚 background, combined with my experience here and at other institutions, I believe we can create a level of synergy that will benefit our athletic program.鈥�
Speas also has spent time in student life and admissions offices, along with serving two institutions as an assistant athletic director. He briefly served as the Iowa Director for USA Baseball and has taught at multiple institutions. He moves across campus from his current position of director of athletic recruiting and fundraising.
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