Hall of Fame
Kathy Orban, 2013 - Kathy Orban worked for 28 years in the Athletics Department, ending her career as the Associate Athletics Director for Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator.She joined the Athletics Department in August 1980 as the assistant field hockey coach, then took over in 1985 as Assistant Athletics Director. KO served as Assistant AD until 1994 when she was promoted to Associate Athletics Director until her retirement in 2008.
Her responsibilities included public relations, promotions, the Westerwinds Athletic Club and home event management. When she was promoted to Associate AD, she had oversight over financial aid (both men and women student-athletes), student-athlete eligibility, athletic academic services, compliance, athletic training, and strength and conditioning.
As a student-athlete at Eastern Illinois University, Orban participated in field hockey, badminton, softball and golf. She participated in 10 national field hockey tournaments. After graduation she began her coaching career at Lakeland College from 1977-78. In 1979 she began as an instructor at Northwestern High School until 1985, while at the same time serving as assistant field hockey coach at Western.
She received several awards during her time at Western, including: COAP Employee of the Year in 2001, Western Organization for Women Achievement Award in 2009 and served on the NCAA Division I Softball committee from 1999-2002. She was Chair of the Softball committee from 2000-02. Orban served as COAP President, on the WIU Strategic Planning Committee and was also President of the Western Organization for Women. Orban also worked with the Women's Charity Golf Tournament Organizing Committee.
An active golfer still today, Orban won the 2012 Low Net Champion at the Illinois State Senior Woman’s Golf Tournament.
She was a member of the Macomb Magic softball team inducted into the Illinois Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame in 2008. Orban has also received the McDonough VIBE Most Valuable Person Award in 2012, currently serves on the WIU Leatherneck Advisory Board, Treasurer of the Humane Society of McDonough County, and Women’s Golf Tournament member. She currently resides in Macomb with her partner, and fellow WIU Hall of Famer, Kathy Veroni.
“I have been impacted by the combination of people at WIU. The relationships with student-athletes, coaches, staff, administrators, fans, and friends have meant so much to me. I value and appreciate the association and friendships I have made at Western,” said Orban.
