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Campus Recreation
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Mission
The mission of Campus Recreation is to provide recreational programs and facilities to the University community with an emphasis on meeting student needs. The services offered provide life-enhancing, recreational opportunities for the physical, mental, and social interests of the individual. Campus Recreation takes pride in providing students, faculty, and staff with an opportunity to balance work and recreation through a variety of programs, services, and facilities.
Meet the Campus Recreation Professional Staff
Milly MacDonell, Director
MB-MacDonell@wiu.edu
Milly is from Atlantic Beach, Florida. She earned her BS in Biology from Mississippi University for Women, and her MS in Sports Management from Western Illinois University. Milly also did graduate studies in Exercise Science at Wake Forest University. She has been in Campus Recreation for 14 years, nine of which have been at Western. Milly loves having a positive impact on so many students' lives, in particular, the mentoring of the employees and Grads. In her spare time, she likes golfing, walking with her golden retriever and best pal, Reilly.
Judy Yeast, Associate Director
JA-Yeast@wiu.edu
Judy and her husband, Steve, have two daughters, Melissa and Ashley, and one son, Michael. Judy finished her Ph.D. in parenting this summer with her son Michael’s wedding to Elizabeth Van Meter (WIU—BS'07 and MS'09). Judy continues to stay active with the University along with the State of Illinois Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. She was presented with their service award in 2011. Students think her favorite color is pink, but it is actually green. However, she continues to promote Big Pink Volleyball, which is now being played at 21 other universities and colleges across the United States and Canada.
Nick Knowles, Director of Facility Management and Sport Clubs
NS-Knowles@wiu.edu
Nick is a Macomb native. He served in the United States Marine Corp from 1994 until 1998. He is a WIU alumnus and earned his bachelor’s degree in RPTA in 2002 and his master’s in RPTA in 2007. Nick started working in Campus Recreation in 2007. Nick enjoys working in a fun environment and learning from student employees and student leaders. Next to spending time with his wife, Liz, (WIU ’03), daughter, Reagan, and son, Jack, Nick likes to golf, lift weights and watch WWE Raw.
Pat McGrath, Director of Aquatics and Outdoor Pursuits
P-McGrath@wiu.edu
From Cincinnati, Ohio, Pat earned his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science and Coaching in 2009 at Fort Lewis College in Colorado. In 2011, he received his master’s in Sport Management here at Western and worked at Campus Recreation as our Sport Clubs graduate assistant. Pat enjoys helping students relax and enjoy new experiences. His hobbies include whitewater rafting, kayaking and lacrosse, but he claims he cannot live without milk and cookies. Pat was recently named to the Fort Lewis College Men's Lacrosse Club Hall of Fame in Colorado.
Kelley Popkin, Director of Fitness Services
KA-Popkin@wiu.edu
Raised in Mendon, Illinois, Kelley earned her master’s in Wellness Promotion and Fitness Management from Western Illinois University. Kelley is the proud mother of a very active son. She is passionate about Olympic lifting, running, and weight lifting and says she could not live without her Asics running shoes, which she puts to use on a daily basis. Kelley also enjoys reading in her spare time.
Dustin Van Sloten, Director of Intramural Sports and Student Development
DR-VanSloten@wiu.edu
Dustin received his BS in Recreation and Leisure Services from the University of Northern Iowa, and his MS from WIU in Sports Management. Dustin lives in Macomb with his wife, Katie, their three cats and two dogs. Dustin enjoys working for Campus Recreation because he is passionate about helping the students learn and grow through participating and working in our programs.
Alan Arvin, Manager of Sports Facilities
AE-Arvin@wiu.edu
Alan began working at Campus Recreation in July 2012. He had been the Intercollegiate Athletic Equipment Specialist for Leatherneck football since 2007. Alan has an Associate of Applied Science degree in Construction Technology from Southeastern Community College. He looks forward to his future here at Campus Recreation.
Marsha Grotts, Facility Manager
ME-Grotts@wiu.edu
Marsha has been with Campus Recreation for almost two years, but ten years total with Western Illinois University. Her hometown is North Platte, Nebraska, but she was raised in Denver, Colorado. Marsha entered the Army in 1977, and proudly served as a medical specialist for seven years. Marsha has two sons and two grandsons would find it very hard to live without any of them. She enjoys working at the Spencer Student Recreation Center because of it is a lively, fun place where the majority of the people come to de-stress and maintain a great positive attitude toward fitness and life.
Julie Terstriep, Business Manager
JL-Terstriep@wiu.edu
Julie lives on a farm near Industry, Illinois and graduated from Macomb High School. She earned her BA from Western Illinois University in 1988. After working in Campus Recreation for 15 years, Julie decided to return to classes and anticipates an MS in RPTA in 2013. Julie and her husband, Steve (WIU ’78), have a son, Erik (WIU ’07) and daughter, Leigh (WIU ’10). When she is not working with students, Julie is an IHSA Certified Volleyball Official and Clinician. In her spare time, she likes to pursue genealogy.
Connie Van Dyke, Assistant Facilities Manager
CA-VanDyke@wiu.edu
Born and raised in Ipava, Illinois, Connie has worked at Western Illinois University for 22 years, the last six years in Campus Recreation. She has an Associate's Degree in Secretarial Science. All three of Connie's sons are WIU graduates! She also has two granddaughters and a grandson to spoil. Connie is a real people person: she enjoys working with students and says she cannot live without spending time with her family and friends. When she is not busy gardening, Connie can be seen on campus at musicals and concerts, football and basketball games.
Jody Zscheck, Graphic Design Associate
JL-Zscheck@wiu.edu
Jody has worked in Campus Recreation since 2006, first as office support and more recently as a graphic designer. Jody earned an associate’s degree in Architectural Technology in 1978 and her first bachelors from Western Illinois University in 2004, while raising three children with her husband, Steve. She anticipates her second bachelors from Western in Graphic Communications in 2013. Next to her colleagues, the student employees in Campus Recreation, and the students of Western, Jody enjoys the creative side of her job the most.
. . . and our Graduate Assistants!
Aquatics and Facility Management Graduate Assistant
Chuck Thomas
CC-Thomas@wiu.edu
Hometown: Rushville, Illinois
Undergraduate Education: Western Illinois University, B.S. in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration
Graduate Work: Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration
What is your most embarrassing moment? Forgetting to put my jeans back on in a fitting room of JC Penny's, and then proceed to walk out into the store in my boxers.
Facility Management Graduate Assistants
Katie Gossell
KM-Gossell@wiu.edu
Hometown: Island Lake/Wauconda, Illinois
Undergraduate Education: Northern Illinois University, B.A. in Health Education
Current Graduate Work: Kinesiology, Fitness Management & Wellness Promotion, Pre/Post Natal Exercise & Nutrition
What is your proudest achievement? My proudest achievement would be that I am the first person in my entire extended family to graduate from college.
Ben Blodgett
BL-Blodgett@wiu.edu
Hometown: Pensacola, Florida
Undergraduate Education: Florida State University, B.S. Sport Management
Current Graduate Work: Sports Management
What is your proudest achievement? My proudest achievement was presenting at the IAPS conference in Portugal in October this year.
Fitness Services Graduate Assistants
Kristin Obert
KM-Obert@wiu.edu
Hometown: Liberty, IL
Undergraduate Education: Western Illinois University, B.S. in Exercise Science
Current Graduate Work: Kinesiology-Exercise Science, ACE-certified Personal Trainer, AFAA & Turbokick certified Group Fitness Instructor, Pilates & Yoga Fundamentals Certified
What do you enjoy most about your job? I love helping others reach their fitness goals and achieve a sense of accomplishment.
Fitness Services/Facilities Management Graduate Assistant
Nathan Pittman
NJ-Pittman@wiu.edu
Hometown: Rushville, Illinois
Undergraduate Education: Western Illinois University, B.S. in Exercise Science
Current Graduate Work: Exercise Science
What is your proudest achievement? My proudest achievements are those that make my mother proud.
Intramural Sports Graduate Assistants
Steve Dowhan
SJ-Dowhan@wiu.edu
Hometown: Farmington Hills, Michigan
Undergraduate Education: Loyola University Chicago, B.B.A., Sport Management, Communication Studies Minor
Current Graduate Work: Sport Management
What is your proudest achievement? Accepting the IM/CS Coordinator position at Colorado School of Mines helped me determine that I would like to continue in campus recreation as a profession.
Ryan Tubbs
RM-Tubbs@wiu.edu
Hometown: Kennesaw, Georgia
Undergraduate Education: Valdosta State University, B.S. in Psychology
Current Graduate Work: Kinesiology
What was your most embarrassing moment? My most embarrassing moment was during the first week of my freshman year in college. I had my books in my hand and tripped over my sandal, my books went flying and I landed on my hands and knees. Classic Steve Urkel moment!
Samantha Wallace
SL-Wallace@wiu.edu
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
Undergraduate Education: Arizona State University, B.A. in English Literature
Current Graduate Work: Sport Management
What was your most embarrassing moment? I had a 10-gallon jug of Powerade and a table tipped over on me by an intramural competitor during my first shift as intramural employee at ASU.
Kevin Wilson
KR-Wilson2@wiu.edu
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Undergraduate Education: University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, B.S. in Sports Management
Current Graduate Work: Recreation, Park, and Tourism Administration
What do you like to do in your spare time? I like playing any and every sport possible, laughing, and learning.
Marketing & Multimedia Graduate Assistant
Nick Waterman
NA-Waterman@wiu.edu
Hometown: Monmouth, Illinois
Undergraduate Education: Western Illinois University, B.B. in Business Management
Current Graduate Work: Sport Management
What you enjoy most about your job? I like the interaction and communication with everyone throughout Campus Recreation.
Outdoor Pursuits/Special Events Graduate Assistant
Amber Bedee
AR-Bedee@wiu.edu
Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Undergraduate Education: Colorado State University, B.A. in Political Science
Current Graduate Work: College Student Personnel
Tell us about your family. I have the support of my sister and parents in Colorado. I also have a wonderful fiancé stationed in Fort Stewart, GA.
Special Events Graduate Assistant
Suzie Farner
SS-Farner@wiu.edu
Hometown: Cattaraugus NY
Undergraduate Education: University at Buffalo, B.S. in Biomedical Sciences
Current Graduate Work: College Student Personnel
What do you enjoy most about your job? I love being able to create "fun" for students all across campus and contributing to the campus experience.
Sport Clubs Graduate Assistant
Brenna Saline
BD-Saline@wiu.edu
Hometown: Galesburg, Illinois
Undergraduate Education: Missouri Western State University, Business Administration, major in Accounting
Current Graduate Work: Master of Business Administration, Finance
What you enjoy most about your job? I like being able to communicate with the presidents and keeping up to date with all the sport clubs' results. I also enjoy watching the sport clubs events.
Contact Info
Campus Recreation
Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center, 200A
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
Email: C-Recreation@wiu.edu
Office: (309) 298-1228
Front Desk: (309) 298-2797
Fax Number: (309) 298-3224
