Western Illinois University Athletics

Paul A. Bubb was named the director of intercollegiate athletics at Western Illinois University on June 22, 2022 after serving as the executive director of development for Western since February 2018.
 
As the executive director of development at WIU, Bubb oversaw the University’s college-based fundraising programs. In this role he directed and developed major gift and annual plans to maximize giving to WIU, managed development staff and managed gift prospect portfolios. Western reported its two best fundraising years ever with totals topping the $10 million mark in 2018 and 2022.
 
“Paul has many years of overseeing university-level athletics. His knowledge, experience and skills in athletics and development will continue to move our Division of Intercollegiate Athletics forward,” said WIU President Guiyou Huang. “I look forward to working with him in this capacity to further enhance our program.”
 
With over 30 years of athletic administration experience, Bubb previously served as director of athletics at Cal State Northridge, the University of Maine, and Idaho State University. 
 
“Serving my alma mater, which provided me outstanding training for a career in athletics, means the world to me,” said Bubb who received his master’s degree in sport management from WIU. “This community is my home and I’m proud to be a Leatherneck. I look forward to the opportunities and to working as Western’s athletic director.”

Prior to arriving at Western, Bubb served as associate athletic director for development at Cal Poly Pomona (CA); associate athletic director for external affairs at Murray State University; and director of athletics, senior associate athletic director and assistant athletic director for development at Idaho State University. He also served as the interim director of athletics and senior associate director of athletics at the University of Maine; assistant director of the Bronco Athletic Association at Boise State University; and director of athletics, associate athletic director and director of athletic development at Cal State Northridge.
 
Bubb began his career in college athletics as the assistant basketball coach at Monmouth College. At Monmouth he also served as the director of alumni and parent programs and oversaw the annual giving program for the college. His career in Division I athletics began at Southern Illinois University when he became the Salukis first-ever director of athletic development in 1985. Prior to receiving his master’s degree in sport management from Western Illinois University he served for one year as the director of athletic development and director of alumni and parent programs at Drake University.

A graduate of Monmouth College, Bubb worked at his alma mater from 1980 to 1985 as an assistant basketball coach and director of alumni and parent programs. Prior to that appointment he spent one year teaching social studies and coaching boys’ varsity basketball at Meredosia-Chambersburg High School (IL).

Bubb is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and the National Association of Athletic Development Directors. Bubb takes great pride in the programs he has overseen and their work in their respective communities.
 
“I believe our teams should be active participants in our communities and lead by example when it comes to community service,” Bubb said.

Bubb who grew up in nearby Ipava, Illinois and his wife Susan, who grew up in Monmouth, Illinois, have one daughter, Kallan, who lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Paul also has two daughters who live in Macomb, Nicole (Wes) Seward and Natalie Divan, along with four grandchildren.