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Pruess named Deputy Director of Athletics

| By: WIU Athletic Communications
Western Illinois Director of Athletics Paul A. Bubb announced the hiring of Sarah Pruess to assume the role of Deputy Director of Athletics this week.
 
Pruess comes to Western Illinois University with 17-plus years of experience in athletic experience at both the Division I and Division II levels.
 
"I am very happy to have Sarah as a member of our staff," Bubb said. "She brings great experience with her and is able to help us with our internal operations and total program. Sarah's experience at other Division I programs will help us improve our own operations as we move forward in these ever-changing times."
 
The Deputy Director of Athletics provides supervision and leadership for student-athlete services including academic advising, compliance, admissions, student housing, financial aid, scholarship administration, athletic training, strength and conditioning, equipment management and life skills. This position will also represent the athletics department on various University, conference, and national committees. Pruess will serve as the Senior Woman Administrator.
 
Pruess was previously at Valparaiso from November 2018-October 2022 where she served as Executive Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator.
 
In these roles, Pruess' primary responsibilities included management of compliance program and academic support services. Along with those responsibilities, she provided sport oversight for women's basketball, women's soccer, softball, women's tennis, bowling, and men's and women's swimming. She served on the athletics executive staff and the university-wide Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics. She also was the primary contact for admissions, financial aid, housing and Registrar's office. She also represented Valparaiso on the Missouri Valley Conference Joint Council, Athletic Administrators, Legislative Review and Regulatory Matters committees as well.
 
Prior to working at Valparaiso, Pruess served as Associate Athletic Director for Compliance at St. Bonaventure from August 2012-December of 2018.
 
At St. Bonaventure, Pruess' responsibilities included management of departmental compliance program, providing sport oversight for softball, men's cross country and track and women's cross country and track. She also served on the athletics senior management team, and was the primary contact for admissions, financial aid, Registrar's office, and successful APP review as well as serving on Executive Athletic Compliance Committee and fall and spring game day operations management. She also served as Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Athletics.
 
Before working at St. Bonaventure, Pruess was Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Support Services and Compliance from Jan. 2007-Jan. 2012 at Wayne State, Director of Compliance at George Mason from January 2006-July 2006 and Director of Compliance at Chicago State from May 2004-December 2005.
 
Pruess graduated Magna Cum Laude from Albion College, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Management. She received her Master of Science in Management concentrating in Sports Management from the University of Denver and served as a graduate assistant in the compliance office at Eastern Michigan University.
 
"I feel fortunate to have someone with Sarah's experience as a member of our senior staff and look forward to working with her for the benefit of Leatherneck Athletics," Bubb said.
 
Pruess was a member of the Albion softball team from 1998-2002. She was an MIAA Honor Athlete in 1999, 2000 and 2002 and a NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete in 1999 and 2001.
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