Millikin will begin a national search for a new athletic director in order to allow current AD and women's basketball coach Lori Kerans to devote her full attention to the women's basketball program. The search process will begin immediately, but Kerans will remain in the dual roles until June 30.
“When I agreed to add the AD title to my basketball duties, it was with the understanding that I would do both for as long as I felt I was contributing to both areas in a positive and dynamic way,” said Kerans. “Over the last few years, I feel it has become increasingly more difficult to do both well. More than a year ago, I approached Millikin vice president Rich Dunsworth about re-examining how I could best serve this institution. After months of conversation, we both agree that the University and its students deserve my full attention to one of these areas. I feel the best way I can contribute to Millikin's future success is to concentrate on coaching the women's basketball team.”
“Our athletics department has made great strides and grown under Lori's direction,” said Dunsworth. “We have made improvements to our facilities and have been able to add several new coaching positions including the hiring of full-time coaches for both the men's and women's soccer programs. As the climate of Division III athletics continues to grow and change, the addition of a full-time athletics administrator has become a growing necessity and will add a valuable piece to our expanding athletic efforts.”
“Millikin University is committed to providing our student-athletes the best possible avenue for success in the classroom and on the playing field,” said Millikin president Douglas Zemke. “When approached about this change, I was happy to endorse this move. I believe it will not only strengthen our entire athletics program, but it will allow Coach Kerans to refocus her efforts on the continued success of one of Millikin's most nationally recognized athletic programs.”
Kerans says the Millikin athletic department has grown to a level that requires an administrator skilled in management, facilities coordination and personnel development, all of which have gotten more difficult to manage with the increased expectations of college athletic programs.
“First and foremost I am an educator, and I believe my skill set will best benefit the University as I continue working with the talented women in our program and recruiting new student-athletes who can be successful at Millikin,” said Kerans.
One of Kerans' key factors in the decision to focus on coaching was the commitment she received from long-time assistant coach Dick Marshall.
“Coach Marshall assures me he is not going anywhere anytime soon,” said Kerans. “We are both very excited about the future of Millikin women's basketball.”
Kerans is a 1985 graduate of Millikin and has spent her entire 22-year career at the helm of the Big Blue women's basketball program. Kerans and her mentor Harriett Crannell, the only two coaches in the program's history, have combined to make Millikin one of the most successful programs in the country. When Millikin won its 600th game on Dec. 7, it joined just five other Division III women's programs to have reached the milestone.
In 2006-07, Millikin finished 20-6 to give the Big Blue its 12th 20-win season under Kerans and secured her 400th career win. In 2004-05, she guided Millikin to its 14th NCAA appearance and its first-ever NCAA team Championship. Her coaching career includes multiple honors: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Coach of the Year (seven times), Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Women's Division III Coach of the Year (10 times) and Molten/Division III News Coach of the Year (twice). After her team's NCAA title run in 2004-05, Kerans was also named the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Region 7 Coach of the Year. As of Jan. 11, her team carries an 8-4 record, giving her a career record of 425-140 (.752). Through the 2006-07 season, Kerans' winning percentage ranked her 16th nationally among active Division III coaches and 20th in career wins. In the all-time Division III coaching categories, she is 15th in win percentage and 20th in wins.
When the new AD transitions in on July 1, Kerans will acquire the new positions of senior women's administrator and Student Athletic Advisory Council advisor.