Former SID Zapolski Lands Director of Athletics Post at Augustana (Ill.)
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - Mike Zapolski has been named the Director of Athletics at Augustana College, it was announced today. Zapolski, who has held a similar position at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana, replaces Chuck Gordon, who left Augustana in January of 2008 to take a position at the American University of Cairo. Longtime Sports Information Director Dave Wrath has been serving as the Interim Director of Athletics since Gordon left.
"I am blessed and honored to be named Director of Athletics at Augustana College, a school that is well-known for its academic rigor and athletic excellence," said Zapolski. "I look forward to working closely with the administration, coaches and student-athletes on a daily basis to promote the athletic program and stress its value to the overall strength of the institution."
Zapolski took over the athletic program at Anderson in 2003 and he has been responsible for overseeing both the 18-sport intercollegiate athletics program and serve as the building manager for the $17 million Kardatzke Wellness Center. His duties included budget and financial planning, compliance, event and facilities management, fund-raising, staff evaluation and strategic planning.
"Mike Zapolski will continue Augustana's long tradition of excellence in both athletics and academics," said Steve Bahls, Augustana President. "He has a long record of working with coaches to help student-athletes grow in mind, body and spirit through their athletic experiences."
Zapolski had an impressive five year stint at Anderson where, in his first year, he helped the athletic department implement a new logo for branding purposes and launch a 25 event internet broadcast package. The Ravens won the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference men's all-sports title in 2004-05. Throughout his tenure the athletic facilities were constantly upgraded and Anderson served as the host institution for the 2007 NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships.
He spent 20 years at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where he graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and a minor in history. He started working as the Sports Information Director in 1983 when he was still a student and he spent 16 years as the school's S.I.D. He was promoted to the position of Assistant Athletics Director in 1999 and became the Associate Athletics Director in 2001. He received his Master's Degree in business from Pepperdine in 2000.
Zapolski is a member of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Committee and also served as the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference's liaison for men's basketball. He is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and an NADIIIAA member. He served on various committees during his time at Anderson and was a member of the Anderson Rotary Club.
He and his wife Stacey have three children: Haley (11), Luke (9) and Noah (7).