CARBONDALE, Ill. — Veteran athletic administrator Todd Reeser will join Saluki Athletics as its executive deputy AD overseeing development, the SIU Foundation announced today.
With nearly 35 years of professional experience in athletics fundraising, Reeser will spearhead fundraising and alumni engagement initiatives for Saluki Athletics beginning June 1.
A Chenoa, Illinois native, Reeser joins SIU after nearly a decade as the director of athletics at Columbus State in Georgia. Previously, he served in athletics leadership and fundraising roles at Georgia State, Central Florida, Illinois State and Drake.
“Todd Reeser has been successful across the landscape of collegiate athletics, and his expertise is going to give Saluki Athletics a leg up on the competition,” said Matt Kupec, SIU’s vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and CEO of the SIU Foundation.
During Reeser’s tenure at CSU, the Cougars won 51 Peach Belt Conference championships and 10 NCAA Southeast Regional titles. CSU student-athletes have maintained a 3.0-grade point average during that time, and the university has earned two Peach Belt Conference Presidents Academic Awards.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Todd in the past, and he is one of the most forward-thinking and experienced fund-raisers and administrators in the business,” said Tim Leonard, SIU’s director of intercollegiate athletics. “I know he’s excited to return home to Illinois and looks forward to engaging with our alumni, donors and the community.”
At Columbus State, Reeser oversaw the opening of the world-class John W. Walden Tennis Facility, Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field (baseball), and the Key Golf Studio. He founded and developed the Girls in the Game fundraising initiative, which showcases CSU’s female student-athletes and has brought icons such as Brandi Chastain, Annika Sorenstam, Jennie Finch and Tamika Catchings to the CSU campus.
Reeser has been a member of the National Association of College Directors of Athletics and the National Association of Athletic Development Directors throughout his career. A graduate of Leadership Columbus, he also served on the Columbus Sports Council and as the vice chair of the Peach Belt Conference Athletics Director Council.
“I look forward to joining the team at SIU and helping to advance and build upon the rich history of success for which the Salukis are widely known,” Reeser said.
No stranger to the Missouri Valley Conference, Reeser played baseball at Illinois State, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in general finance. He also worked as an intern in Saluki Athletics, shortly after graduation, and earned a master’s in sports administration from St. Thomas in Miami.
He and his wife, Janet, have three adult children.