NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State Director of Athletics Dr. Jeri Beggs has announced new staff promotions for three key members of the Illinois State Athletics Development staff on Thursday.
Paul Kabbes, who leads the group and all external teams within ISU Athletics, will take on the new title of Senior Deputy Director of Athletics, while Nathaniel Smith has been elevated to Senior Associate Athletic Director for Revenue Generation. Rounding out the new staff designations in Dax Schnase, who takes on the title of Director of Annual Giving.
"Paul, Nathaniel and Dax have been instrumental in the fundraising success for our athletic department over the past several years," Beggs stated. "They have made connections and formed lasting relationships with donors and fans and were instrumental in the department having its second-best fundraising year in history during the 2025-26 school year with over $10.9 million raised. In this ever-changing collegiate landscape, fundraising and revenue generation is more important than ever and with these three and the rest of our development staff, we are set up for success going forward."
Kabbes returned to his alma mater in October of 2023 as Deputy Director of Athletics for External Operations. In his role, Kabbes oversees all external facets of ISU Athletics which includes marketing, graphic design, athletics communications, ticket sales, fundraising (Weisbecker Athletic Fund), social media, Redbird Productions, all creative efforts, and serves as a liaison to Redbird Sports Properties (corporate partnerships through Learfield). He also provides guidance for the NIL efforts within the athletics department.
"The success of our fundraising team is rooted in relationships and Nathaniel Smith & Dax Schnase have excelled in that area for years now," Kabbes stated. "Our donors trust them and know they are connecting the needs of our department with the passions of our supporters. I can't wait to see the impact these two continue to make on campus while enhancing the student-athlete experience daily. We are fortunate to have them guiding us towards another record fundraising year for FY27."
Smith was hired as Associate Athletics Director for Revenue Generation at ISU in November of 2023. In his current role, Smith coordinates all aspects of revenue generation for Redbird Athletics including supervision of the ticket office and the Weisbecker Athletic Fund.
Schnase joined Illinois State Athletics as the Assistant Director for Annual Giving in February 2023. In his time at Illinois State, Schnase has served as the primary contact for the Weisbecker Athletic Fund, which includes coordinating scholarship support, crowdfunding campaigns and program-specific fundraising.
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