Athletics

A Conversation with Mark Shook

Vice president of intercollegiate athletics, named January 4 Interim athletics director, June-December 2021 Senior associate athletic director for internal operations, September 2019-May 2021

By M. Blake Harrison

Mark Shook arrived at KWC in September 2019 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was the assistant athletic director for academic services. He has a deep background in college athletics with experience at a variety of higher education institutions, and he wanted to serve at a smaller institution where he could make a real impact and difference and get to know the students on a personal level.

What were your observations of the Athletic Department and the College during your tenure as senior associate athletic director?

"I really liked the small college feel. I connected quickly with former athletic director Rob Mallory because we had similar philosophies. The small campus made getting to know people from nearly every campus office that much easier. I also appreciated the faith-based mission of our campus. It was exactly what I had hoped for when I decided to come to Kentucky Wesleyan."

Did those observations change during your tenure as interim athletic director?

"They have not changed but solidified. Each member of my team is valuable to our department's overall success. During this time, they were pushed outside their normal duties to help us be successful. I am so grateful for our coaches and staff and colleagues for working as a team to support overall student success."

Why did you decide you wanted the full-time position?

The director of athletics position has been a goal of mine for almost 10 years. Many colleagues and mentors motivated me toward this role, and they have offered me opportunities and guidance on the journey. I have also had a wealth of leadership development opportunities within college athletics that helped me grow and learn and prepare for this important leadership role. I will enter my 20th year in college athletics leadership roles in the next academic year.

What are some accomplishments of which you are proud since you arrived at KWC?

l Introduced and led "One Team Wesleyan" programming and events introduction l Led Pillar II Athletic Facilities Working Group in development of concepts for athletic training facility and toward athletic facilities master plan l Led the Athletic Department to its highest Giving Tuesday results since the College began the annual event l Led and conducted five successful staff and coach searches from last summer and fall l Initiated and renewed five major Athletic Department contracts with increased revenues and benefits. l Built upon partnerships with institutional technology, dining services, facilities, and residential services on campus to further enhance the student-athlete experience

What goals do you have as vice president and athletic director?

Those who have heard me speak know how important a "One Team" mentality is to our culture and success. My goals for our department center around the core areas of our commitment to scholarship, sport, service and life. I want to help improve and maximize the student-athlete experience while producing graduates who are well prepared and ready to enter the world because they were students and athletes at Kentucky Wesleyan College.

How can we help?

Our alumni and supporters can help us maximize the studentathlete experience in several ways. My plan is to develop opportunities for those who love the Panthers to help us by giving their time, talents and treasure. Making it a priority to attend and support our teams, at least once, when they are in competition is a simple starting point. Our student-athletes, coaches and staff work tirelessly year round to help maximize this experience. Volunteer and financial support will be critical toward helping us achieve our goals in the classroom and in competition. We are working on a renewed effort to build the Panther Athletic Fund as a "team behind the teams" in annual giving, volunteering and reconnecting with our alumni. Stay tuned. God bless and go Panthers!

Panthers' Roar Heard Around the Nation

KWC student-athletes have continued their ascent to new heights in both athletics and academic pursuits during the 2021-22 academic year. Panthers are making a difference as leaders on campus, in our community and across the NCAA Division II. Enjoy reading about some of these amazing accomplishments and highlights through March 2022 here:

Panther student-athletes continued to perform well in the classroom with a 3.13 GPA in the fall 2021 semester. They broke their own record (2019-2020 academic year) of 134 student-athletes named to the G-MAC Academic All-Conference team (3.30 GPA or higher) with 141 student-athletes honored with this distinction in 2020-2021.

At the conclusion of the 2020-21 academic year, the Panthers broke their own record of 134 set in 2020 by having 141 student-athletes named to the G-MAC Academic AllConference team (3.30 GPA or higher). Baseball led the way with 20 selections, followed by women's soccer with 19 and women's track & field with 14.

Women's soccer standout

Madisyn Hunt '22

graduated in December as the program's record holder in several categories including career goals (59) and points (134). Her goal scoring total tied the most ever scored in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Hunt was the 2021 G-MAC Offensive Player of the Year and named 2021 Second Team All-Midwest Region by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association.

Panther football cornerback Kishawn Walker '22 was named to four different All-American teams for his success last fall. Walker, a fifthyear senior, was also First Team All-Region and First Team AllConference. He is the only Panther in recorded history to be named to four All-American teams in a single season, surpassing current New York Jets wide receiver Keelan Cole '17, who was named to three in 2016. Walker is the first Wesleyan football player to be named to an All-American team since Cole in 2016 and the first defensive player since Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2019 inductee Brian Seider '98 was named to the All-American First Team in 1996 and 1997.

Wiley Cain '23, current KWC and Great Midwest Athletic Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president, was elected Chair of National Division II SAAC representing all 123,000 student-athletes who compete in the NCAA Division II.

KWC student-athletes logged nearly 900 hours of community service in the fall 2021 semester, serving children and youth, disaster relief efforts and faithbased entities throughout our Owensboro/Daviess County community and the western Kentucky region.

Sophomore high jumper Josh Moore became the first-ever male track & field athlete to make the NCAA qualifying mark and competed in the NCAA Indoor Track & Field championships in early March where he finished eighth in the country in Division II.

These accomplishments are possible through the support of Panther fans near and far. Be sure to stay up to date on all that is happening with our student-athletes, coaches and programs by visiting the home of Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics on the web at kwcpanthers.com.

To support Panther Athletics, make a gift to the Panther Athletic Fund or designate to the program of your choice. Visit kwcpanthers.com/donate to learn more.