La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has named its four finalists to be interviewed for the athletic director position, according to the search and screen committee.
The four finalists are
Tyler Johnson, associate athletic director for business & internal affairs at The University of Tennessee;
Glen Krupica, deputy director of athletics - external affairs at Northern Illinois University;
Lori Runksmeier, director of athletics at New England College; and
Josh Whitman, attorney for Covington & Burling LLP in Washington, D.C.
Johnson has served as the associate athletic director for business & internal affairs at The University of Tennessee since 2008. As a member of the men's and women's senior staffs, Johnson has provided leadership and administrative direction for the athletic department, which is comprised of 20 Southeastern Conference sports and over 350 full and part-time employees. He is responsible for the daily monitoring and approving athletic expenditures in compliance with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Southeastern Conference, university and departmental policies. Johnson oversees the athletic department dining facility/training table and is the sport administrator for women's soccer.
He served as the assistant athletic director for operations at Tennessee from 2002-2008, managing the day-to-day operations within the men's athletic department. Johnson was also the associate director of the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center at Tennessee from 1999-2002; the director of baseball operations/academic advisor for baseball from 1997-1999 and assistant director/academic advisor for athletics and post-eligible student-athletes from 1995-1997. Johnson earned his associate of arts degree in liberal arts from Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.) in 1989; his bachelor's of science degree in physical education/teaching from UW-La Crosse in 1994 and his master's of science degree in sport management from the University of Tennessee in 1995.
He is scheduled to be on campus for an interview Monday, August 9. An open forum will be held in Port O' Call in Cartwright Center from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Krupica has been at the University of Northern Illinois since 2005. He has served as the deputy director of athletics - external affairs since 2007 after serving as the senior associate director of athletics - external affairs from August-September 2006 and associate director of athletics - external affairs from 2005-2006. Krupica's responsibilities include all external acquisition elements provided to the athletic budget. His activities have also included being actively involved in corporate sponsorships, overseeing development unit that includes annual fund as well as implementing strategic direction for media relations, marketing & promotions, athletic ticket office and sales. He provided the leadership in maximizing the sold out Northern Illinois - Iowa football game in Chicago's Soldier Field and has worked new football scheduling deals with Big Ten opponents resulting in $6.5 million in revenue for Northern Illinois and three mores games in Soldier Field.
Prior to arriving at Northern Illinois, Krupica served as the executive director of the Independence Bowl Foundation in Shreveport, Louisiana from 1994-2005. He administrated and directed the non-profit, membership based organization that stages the annual Independence Bowl and related events and functions. Krupica was the assistant athletics director/executive director, Northwestern Athletic Association at Northwestern State University (La.) from 1992-1994; director of development for the Kansas Special Olympics from 1986-1992 and executive director of the Huskie Club at Northern Illinois from 1985-1986. He earned his bachelor of science degree in marketing from Northern Illinois University in 1982 and his master's of art's degree in sports administration from The Ohio State University in 1984.
Krupica is scheduled to be on campus for an interview Thursday, August 5. An open forum will be held in the Ward Room in Cartwright Center from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Runksmeier has served as the director of athletics at New England College since 1999, responsible for all aspects of a 13-sport NCAA Division III athletic program as well as club and recreational sports. New England College has added three varsity sports, women's ice hockey and men's and women's cross country during Runksmeier's tenure resulting in gender equity proportionality. New athletic construction, including facility renovations, turf field construction and major renovations to its hockey rink has also been highlighted under Runksmeier. She led New England College to become a member of the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program and initiated “Pilgrim Pride” Program, a contest for teams focused on off-field achievements including community service, campus activities and academics.
She was the assistant to the president at New England College from January-July 2009 and interim dean of students from spring 2008-December 20-08. Runksmeier served as the coordinator of athletic department relations at The College of St. Benedict (Minn.) from 1996-1999; director of the Minnesota Star of the North State Games from 1996-1997 and was an administrative assistant to the director of women's athletics at St. Cloud State University (Minn.) from 1992-1996. She has been a member of the NCAA Division III Interpretations & Legislation Committee since 2007, serving as chair in 2010. Runksmeier also served on the NCAA Division III Women's Ice Hockey Committee (chair from 2005-2007), NCAA Division III Budget Committee and NCAA Leadership Conference Selection Committee. She earned her bachelor's of science and master's of arts degrees from Minnesota State University, earning her bachelor's in physical education and English in 1983 and master's in athletic administration in 1992.
Runksmeier is scheduled to be on campus for an interview Tuesday, August 10. An open forum will be held in Port O' Call in Cartwright Center from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Whitman has been an attorney since September 2009 at Covington & Burling LLP in Washington, D.C. He is participating in the firm's nationally recognized Sports Practice Group, highlighted by its position as primary outside counsel to the National Football League (NFL). Whitman has represented the NFL as a third party in antitrust litigation. He has also represented a variety of other corporate clients, including Microsoft and GlaxoSmithKline. Whitman was a summer associate at Covington & Burling LLP in 2007 and for Foley & Lardner LLP in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2006. Prior to joining Covington & Burling LLP in 2009, Whitman was the judicial law clerk for the Honorable M.S. Kanne in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit from August 2008-August 2009.
He was the assistant to the director of athletics in 2007-2008 and coordinator of special projects from 2005-2007 at the University of Illinois. Whitman collaborated on strategic planning for marketing and financing programs associated with the $110 million renovation of the Illinois football stadium. A four-year letter winner for the Illinois football team, Whitman earned his bachelor's of science degree in finance from Illinois in 2001 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2008. He has been a member of the NFL's Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins as well as the Frankfurt (Germany) Galaxy Football Club. Whitman was the assistant to the director of football operations at the University of Illinois in 2001 and a business intern with the Illinois Athletic Department in 2000.
Whitman is scheduled to be on campus for an interview Thursday, August 12. An open forum will be held in Port O' Call in Cartwright Center from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
