In February, Eastern Illinois University announced the five finalists the campus’ Athletic Director Search Committee would be screening in order to pick the final candidate for the vacant athletic director seat.

The finalists who were chosen are: Jean Berger (Drake University Associate Athletic Director), Barbara Burke (University of Wyoming Deputy Athletic Director), Bruce Van De Velde (University of Missouri Director of Development), Vaughn Williams (University of Connecticut Associate Athletic Director of Facilities Management and Planning), And Sacramento State Athletic Director Terry Wanless.

Wanless has served as Sacramento State’s athletic director for over six years and has been responsible for advancing programs aimed towards the student-athlete. Programs such as the athletic department’s Life Skills program, which has opened up a number of new scholarships, academic counseling, and tutoring options for student-athletes, and his creation of the Athletics Director’s Academic Achievement Award have provided incentives for student-athletes to maintain and increase their grades.

Wanless said he also espoused the idea of further cooperation between the athletics department and the rest of the student faculty, to create more opportunities such as the student passed 2004 referendum, which added the Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex and the Recreation and Wellness Center to the plans of Destination 2010.

“It takes something special to want to leave what I have here,” Wanless said.

Wanless said he applied at Eastern upon the recommendation of his colleague and friend, Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher.

He said he owes the rest of his decision to apply at Eastern to the fact that working there would place him closer to his family. He has a daughter who lives in Lexington, Ky., and a son who lives in Minneapolis, Minn., both of whom are within reach of a full day’s drive from Eastern.

“Once you get older, you start to look at things like this,” he said.

As part of the screening process for the finalists, Eastern’s Athletic Director Search Committee will interview coaches, faculty, and student-athletes to aid in the final decision making process. Earlier in the month, Wanless attended an open interview at Eastern to give students and faculty there a chance to talk to him about the direction he would take the athletic department should he be chosen as the prime candidate for the position.

But he said it’s too premature to have these thoughts of leaving so early in the final selection process, saying he has built up a lot of loyalty to his staff and to all the student-athletes who are in the program and those who are already starting out on their careers.

“If there is one thing I want to be known as, it’s someone who works diligently with a student-athlete to help them realize their goals and dreams,” Wanless said. “Everything else is all temporary.”

At 60 years of age, Wanless said he still has excellent health, a lot of energy, and a lot of things left to accomplish before he plans to retire at 70.

Prior to his position at Sac State, Wanless served as athletic director at the University of North Dakota between 1990-1999, leading the program there to capture four NCAA Championships and 36 conference titles.

He also served as the athletic director for Western Carolina University from 1986-1990 and Towson University in Maryland, between the years of 1973-1986.

Wanless earned his degree in physical education at Black Hills State University and his master’s degree at Northern Illinois University. He earned his doctorate in athletics administration from Temple University.

Eastern’s previous athletic director, Rich McDuffie, was removed from the position following an investigation of sexual harassment charges sparked by complaints from a former softball coach and the Director of Athletic Development. The complaints were launched separate complaints, in 2002 and 2005. The investigation committee found no conclusive evidence.

Ken Baker, the school’s Director of Campus Recreation, was appointed interim athletic director until a replacement is found.

Justin Tejada can be reached at [email protected]