Wheaton, Ill. – Julie Davis, Athletics Director at Wheaton College, recently announced that she will be leaving the role she has held since 2011 later this spring. A member of the Wheaton Athletics Department staff since 2003, she is taking a new post at Wheaton College to serve as a Regional Director for the Chicago area in Wheaton's Advancement Division. She will begin her new role in May.
A 1991 Wheaton graduate, Davis played women's basketball as an undergrad and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Following her graduation, Davis joined the Thunder Athletics Department staff in 2003 as Assistant Athletics Director. She was named Wheaton's Athletics Director in September of 2011.
"Serving as the Athletics Director has been one of the most significant blessings and honors of my life." stated Davis, "I love Wheaton, love working at the College and desire to continue supporting its mission. My work as the AD has been so rich for me personally and professionally. The Wheaton Athletics Department is strong and prepared for faithful Kingdom service in the coming years. I look forward to continuing to support the work of Athletics, as well as the College broadly, in my new role."
During Davis' tenure as Athletics Director, Wheaton finished in the top-50 of the Division III Learfield Directors' Cup standings six out of the eight years in that time. (EDITOR'S NOTE: The most recent completed year for the Learfield Directors' Cup standings was 2018-19 due to COVID-19). In 2018-19, Wheaton had its highest placement in the standings since 2003-04, finishing in 22nd in Division III – the largest NCAA Division with more than 430 members.
Wheaton has appeared in NCAA Division III Championship events in 17 different sports in Davis' 11 years as Athletics Director. There have been 46 CCIW Championship teams from Wheaton in that time, across 12 different sports. Thunder athletes have been named All-American more than 110 times during her tenure, with 48 CoSIDA Academic All-America selections.
Dr. Paul Chelsen, Wheaton's Vice President for Student Development says of Davis' time leading Wheaton Athletics, "A hallmark of Julie's leadership has been her focus on fostering a positive experience for students in the places where they engage athletics, including varsity sports, club sports, intramurals, fitness classes, weight room, and as fans watching Thunder sports teams compete. Julie has personally invested in and advocated for the coaching and administrative staff, which serve as the core of what makes athletics special at Wheaton, namely care for the whole person, a deep love for Jesus, a desire to steward God's physical gifts for His glory, and a competitive spirit." Chelsen concludes, "Julie has been a key voice in and for the Student Development Divisional leadership team. She will continue to be a trusted and treasured colleague."
A national search for a new Athletics Director is underway.
