ISU selects three finalists for athletic director

[APRIL 7, 2005]  NORMAL -- The committee searching for the next Illinois State University director of intercollegiate athletics has selected three finalists for the position: Tom Collins, senior associate athletic director at Arizona State University; Sheahon Zenger, associate director of athletics for development at Kansas State University; and David Heeke, senior associate athletic director at the University of Oregon. They will begin visits to the university next week.

Collins has served as senior associate athletic director since 2000. In that position, he has supervised seven nationally ranked Division I-A sports programs, managed a staff of eight media relations professionals and assisted a collegiate licensing program with more than $450,000 in annual revenues. Before taking the position, he was associate athletic director, corporate and community affairs, from 1996 to 2000, and assistant athletic director, operations, from 1985 to 1996, both at Arizona State. He also held athletics positions at the University of Miami and Washington State University.

Collins earned a bachelor's degree in general studies from Northern Arizona University.

Zenger has served as associate director of athletics for development since 2002. In that position, he led the implementation of Kansas State's donor-based seating program, directed fundraisers charged with raising in excess of $10 million each fiscal year and developed the $63 million athletics portion of Kansas State's $500 million capital campaign. Before taking the position, he served as assistant director of athletics, major gifts, from 2001-2002, and as director of development from 2000-2001, both at Kansas State. He also held athletics positions at the University of Wyoming and the University of South Florida.

Zenger holds a doctorate in educational policy and leadership from the University of Kansas. He earned a master's degree in journalism and mass communication and a bachelor's degree in English and secondary education, both from Kansas State University.

Heeke has served as senior associate athletic director since 2002. In that position, he has assisted in the daily operations and management of the intercollegiate athletic department, consisting of 17 sports and a $38 million budget; led strategic planning for generating external athletics funding; and provided administrative supervision for football, men's basketball, and women's soccer and softball. Before taking the position, he served as associate athletic director, external operations, from 1999 to 2002; associate athletic director, marketing and media relations, from 1996 to 1999; and several other athletics positions at the University of Oregon. He also held an athletics position at Michigan State University.

Heeke earned a master's degree in athletic administration from Ohio State University and a bachelor's degree in economics and management from Albion College.

"I want to commend the search committee for selecting three outstanding finalists from a high-quality pool of candidates," said ISU President Al Bowman. "I look forward to their visits and their interaction with the campus community."
More information about the candidates and their campus visit schedules will be posted at www.president.ilstu.edu/ as soon as arrangements are finalized.

[Todd Kober, assistant athletics director, media relations, Illinois State University]

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