From: Illini AD Josh Whitman <illiniad@illinois.edu>
Date: April 4, 2016 at 2:26:39 PM CDT
To: Illini AD Josh Whitman <illiniad@illinois.edu>
Subject: Greetings From the New Guy
Dear Illini Student-Athletes:
It is with great pride that I write this, my introductory note to you as our new Director of Athletics. Please know that there is nothing more important to me than you and the experiences you are receiving here as members of our Fighting Illini family. I have met many of you already, and I look forward to knowing all of you in the years ahead.
Some of you might not be familiar with my background. After growing up in West Lafayette, Indiana, I spent four years attending the U of I, where I was a member of the football team. I graduated with a degree in finance, then had the good fortune of pursuing a career in the National Football League, where I bounced around for the better part of four years, spending time with the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, and Miami Dolphins. After my playing days were over, I returned here to Champaign, where I worked for four years in various roles in the athletic department. While here, I attended the College of Law. I practiced law for two years following graduation, then re-entered college athletics as the Director of Athletics at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Following four years at UW-L, I accepted the same position at Washington University in St. Louis, where I stayed for almost two years before Illinois called and offered my dream job. Then I came home.
My goals for you are simple. First, and most importantly, we want to help prepare you for life after Illinois. The education you are receiving (culminating in an Illinois degree!), the relationships you are forming, and the experiences you are having will lay a foundation for you to leave our campus prepared to be loving members of your families, contributing members of your communities, and leading members of your chosen professions. That is what Illinois did for me, and I will work tirelessly to be sure that is what Illinois does for you. Second, we want to position you to maximize your athletic potential so that you can compete for B1G and NCAA championships. You would not be here if you were not among the world’s most talented and committed athletes. We want to surround you with the resources – teammates, coaches, support staff, and facilities, among so many other things – that will allow you to squeeze every last drop of athletic potential from your body.
It is, of course, a privilege, and not a right, to be associated with our program. You have responsibilities in this as well:
As with most things in life, you will get from this experience what you put into it. If you invest fully of yourself during your years on our campus, these people and this place will change your life – and if we do it right, you will change ours as well. At Illinois, we do not use the word “family” as a tagline. We embrace it as a way of life.
To reiterate: no one in our program is more important to me than you. I will not be a stranger. You will receive many emails from me. You have full access to me, along with the other senior administrators on our staff who supervise your respective sport programs. You will see us at your practices, your competitions, at the Varsity Room, and in Irwin. If you have questions or concerns, or if you simply want to say hello, my door is open. I will do everything I can to prioritize time with you. Because at the end of the day, you are why I am here.
Thank you for who you are and all that you represent. Thank you for making all of us involved in our program proud. Thank you for inspiring me to be my best every day.
With tremendous respect and admiration,
Josh
Date: April 4, 2016 at 2:26:39 PM CDT
To: Illini AD Josh Whitman <illiniad@illinois.edu>
Subject: Greetings From the New Guy
Dear Illini Student-Athletes:
It is with great pride that I write this, my introductory note to you as our new Director of Athletics. Please know that there is nothing more important to me than you and the experiences you are receiving here as members of our Fighting Illini family. I have met many of you already, and I look forward to knowing all of you in the years ahead.
Some of you might not be familiar with my background. After growing up in West Lafayette, Indiana, I spent four years attending the U of I, where I was a member of the football team. I graduated with a degree in finance, then had the good fortune of pursuing a career in the National Football League, where I bounced around for the better part of four years, spending time with the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, and Miami Dolphins. After my playing days were over, I returned here to Champaign, where I worked for four years in various roles in the athletic department. While here, I attended the College of Law. I practiced law for two years following graduation, then re-entered college athletics as the Director of Athletics at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Following four years at UW-L, I accepted the same position at Washington University in St. Louis, where I stayed for almost two years before Illinois called and offered my dream job. Then I came home.
My goals for you are simple. First, and most importantly, we want to help prepare you for life after Illinois. The education you are receiving (culminating in an Illinois degree!), the relationships you are forming, and the experiences you are having will lay a foundation for you to leave our campus prepared to be loving members of your families, contributing members of your communities, and leading members of your chosen professions. That is what Illinois did for me, and I will work tirelessly to be sure that is what Illinois does for you. Second, we want to position you to maximize your athletic potential so that you can compete for B1G and NCAA championships. You would not be here if you were not among the world’s most talented and committed athletes. We want to surround you with the resources – teammates, coaches, support staff, and facilities, among so many other things – that will allow you to squeeze every last drop of athletic potential from your body.
It is, of course, a privilege, and not a right, to be associated with our program. You have responsibilities in this as well:
- Live a life of integrity, in which you do things the right way and in which you stand accountable for any mistakes you might make;
- Respect other people – all people, all backgrounds, on all issues – even if you do not understand or agree with them;
- Immerse yourself in the academic mission of the University of Illinois, and work steadily toward an Illinois degree;
- Train and prepare your mind and body with an intensity befitting a champion; and
- Compete – every day and in everything you do, strive to be the best.
As with most things in life, you will get from this experience what you put into it. If you invest fully of yourself during your years on our campus, these people and this place will change your life – and if we do it right, you will change ours as well. At Illinois, we do not use the word “family” as a tagline. We embrace it as a way of life.
To reiterate: no one in our program is more important to me than you. I will not be a stranger. You will receive many emails from me. You have full access to me, along with the other senior administrators on our staff who supervise your respective sport programs. You will see us at your practices, your competitions, at the Varsity Room, and in Irwin. If you have questions or concerns, or if you simply want to say hello, my door is open. I will do everything I can to prioritize time with you. Because at the end of the day, you are why I am here.
Thank you for who you are and all that you represent. Thank you for making all of us involved in our program proud. Thank you for inspiring me to be my best every day.
With tremendous respect and admiration,
Josh
