Williams Selected to Lead Coyote Athletic Programs
By: Leslie Eikleberry, Director of Public Relations
and David Toelle, KWU Sports Information

President Philip P. Kerstetter announced this morning (July 7, 2005) the appointment of Dr. Matthew J. Williams as Kansas Wesleyan University's new Director of Athletic Programs. His appointment is effective August 1, 2005. Williams succeeds current Athletic Director Jerry Jones, who announced his intentions to step down as Athletic Director earlier this spring.

Williams, a member of the Kansas Wesleyan community since 1999, has served as the Assistant Athletic Director and Game Day Operations Manager for all Coyote athletic events. He also is Director of the Athletic Training Education Program at Kansas Wesleyan.

“I am delighted in Matt's willingness to serve Kansas Wesleyan University as Director of Athletic Programs,” President Kerstetter said. “Matt brings a wealth of athletics experience and knowledge to this vital position on our campus.”

While at Kansas Wesleyan, Williams was instrumental in growing the Athletic Training Education Program from an internship program to a full-fledged academic major and an accredited program by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs through July of 2009. He also played an integral part in the development of Kansas Wesleyan's Master of Business Administration with Sports Management emphasis program, and most recently the undergraduate academic program in Sports Management that will begin in the fall of 2005.

"I would like to thank the Kansas Wesleyan University family for its support," Wiliams said during the news conference.

Before coming to Wesleyan, Williams most recently spent three years at West Hills Community College in Coalinga, Calif. Prior to West Hills, he spent two years at Idaho Falls High School in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Williams did point out his most beneficial experience came when he was the athletic trainer in the Atlanta Braves farm system for six years.

"Working in the Braves Minor League system gave me a lot of experience on the administration side of things," he said. "They taught you the business side of the sport, from book-keeping to public relations to everything, it was a real learning experience for me."

Williams received a Doctor of Sport Management degree with a specialization in Sports Marketing from the United States Sports Academy, a Master of Business Administration degree from Kansas Wesleyan University, a Master of Science degree in Athletic Administration from Idaho State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Boise State University.

Williams resides in Salina with his wife Tonda and daughter Victoria.

Contact Information for Matthew Williams:
Phone: 1-800-874-1154 or (785) 827-5541 ext 3194
E-Mail: mjw@kwu.edu