Aug. 23, 2005
Normal, Ill. -
Over the past decade, the Kansas State University athletics program has become stronger thanks to a succession of conference championship and NCAA tournament teams in several sports. For six years, Doug Banks has been part of the team behind those teams, raising funds and developing resources to support that success. Banks now brings that experience to Illinois State University's athletics department as assistant athletics director for annual giving.
Banks joined the Kansas State development staff as an intern in 1999. One of his internship projects was a stadium cushion program called "Cat Cushions," which generated $200,000. He also worked with corporate sponsorships and KSU's spring auction, earning two job promotions and before leaving the Wildcats as assistant director of development.
Ready to work with annual donors through The Redbird Club, Banks is excited about being a part of Illinois State's tradition, which includes 122 conference titles in the last 23 years, and its future.
"To see that many championships over two decades is exciting and encouraging," said Banks. "It will be fun to get Illinois State back to where it was at its strongest, and go from there. I know we can do that because of what I'm learning about the great people who support Illinois State, because of its rich tradition of success and because there is a commitment to a vision for the future."
He sees similarities between where Illinois State wants to go and Kansas State.
"Ten or 15 years ago, Kansas State was like Illinois State in a lot of ways," said Banks. "K-State got people together who were on the same page and had a vision of where the program could go. Annual giving is about the people. They are the lifeblood of an athletics program. We want to get to know people and put an effective plan together to encourage them to be involved, and to feel good about being involved, in Redbird athletics."
Working with Athletics Director Sheahon Zenger, Senior Associate Athletics Director Randy Welniak and Associate Athletics Director Aaron Leetch, Banks will be part of a totally revamped development team with its sights set on taking the Redbird athletics tradition of support to new heights. His hiring completes that development team, which also includes development assistant Larry Morlan and fund steward Annie Campbell.
Zenger worked with Banks at Kansas State and appreciates Banks' ability to see the larger picture and the greater value of intercollegiate athletics.
"I have great confidence in Doug because he understands the big picture of athletics and development," said Zenger. "He is a team player with a lot of talent who will be a very good fit with the Illinois State family."
Welniak appreciates the fundraising groundwork laid by former assistant athletics director Todd Reeser, who recently accepted a development position in the University of Central Florida athletics program. He believes Banks brings valuable traits to Illinois State.
"Todd Reeser built a strong foundation here, and our challenge is to move that forward," said Welniak. "We believe Doug has the credentials and experience to help Redbird athletics continue its great tradition of success."
A native of Imperial, Neb., Banks played football at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, where he earned his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1990 and a master's degree in sports administration in 1999. In the mid-1990s, Banks was a wide receiver and kick return specialist in a European league of American football. He played and coached for teams in Stockholm, Sweden and Ferrara, Italy.
While in graduate school at Nebraska-Kearney, Banks was a football coach, working with receivers and return specialists.
