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 16 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. 

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 17 years, Julie earned an MS in RPTA in 2013. Julie and her husband, Steve (WIU ’78), have a son, Erik (WIU ’07) and daughter, Leigh (WIU ’10) and son-in-law Scott Bickerman (WIU '09). 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 24 years, the last eight 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 received her second bachelors from Western in Graphic Communications in the fall of 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.

Facility Management Graduate Assistants

Emily Sparks
EC-Sparks@wiu.edu
Hometown:  Iowa City, Iowa
Undergraduate Education: Upper Iowa University, B.S. in Sports Administration
Current Graduate Work: Sport Management
What do you enjoy most about your job? Working in the best building on campus with the the most amazing and welcoming people.

Nick Maentanis
NR-Maentanis@wiu.edu
Hometown:  Carol Stream, Illinois
Undergraduate Education:  Eastern Illinois University, B.S. in Exercise Science
Current Graduate Work: Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology
Tell us something interesting about your family: I have 8 aunts and uncles along with 38 first cousins.

Patrick Thomas
PM-Thomas2@wiu.edu
Hometown:  Macomb, Illinois
Undergraduate Education:  Western Illinois University
Current Graduate Work:  Sport Management

Sport Clubs Graduate Assistants

Tiara Cash
TA-Cash@wiu.edu 
Hometown:  Memphis, Tennessee
Undergraduate Education: Arizona State University, B.S. in Exercise & Wellness
Current Graduate Work: Kinesiology, Fitness & Health Management, Exercise Physiology
Tell us something interesting about your family: My grandfather, Lee Calhoun, was the head coach for WIU Track & Field from 1980 to 1989. My WIU roots run deep.

Fitness Services Graduate Assistants

Alaina DiGiorgio
AM-DiGiorgio@wiu.edu
Hometown:  Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Undergraduate Education:  Western Illinois University
Current Graduate Work:  Wellness Promotion & Fitness Management

Alyssa Gaudreault
AL-Gaudreault@wiu.edu
Hometown: Leominster, Massachusetts
Undergraduate Education: University of Massachusetts Amherst
Current Graduate Work: Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration

Fitness Services Wellness & Facility Management Graduate Assistant

Austin Hetzer
AC-Hetzer@wiu.edu
Hometown: Roodhouse, Illinois
Undergraduate Education: Western Illinois University, B.S. in Exercise Science
Current Graduate Work: Kinesiology, Strength & Conditioning
What do you like to do in your spare time? Play all kinds of sports, especially basketball. I can make it rain from 3 point land.

Rec Events Graduate Assistant

Sara Frederick
SJ-Frederick@wiu.edu
Hometown: Shelby Township, Michigan
Undergraduate Education: Central Michigan University, B.S. in Commercial Recreation
Current Graduate Work: Sport Management
Tell us something interesting about your family: I probably have the coolest Dad ever.

Rec Events & Student Development Graduate Assistant

Leslie Ducay
LC-Ducay@wiu.edu
Hometown:  Covington, Washington
Undergraduate Education:  Pacific Lutheran University
Current Graduate Work:  College Student Personnel

Intramural Sports Graduate Assistants

Scott Poulos 
SA-Poulos@wiu.edu
Hometown:  Batavia, Ilinois
Undergraduate Education: Western Illinois University
Current Graduate Work:   Law Enforcement and Justice Administration

Stephanie Nielsen
SL-Nielsen@wiu.edu
Hometown:  Greenwich, Connecticut
Undergraduate Education:  James Madison University
Current Graduate Work: Sport Management

Brandon De Cook
BD-DeCook@wiu.edu
Hometown: Pleasantville, Iowa
Undergraduate Education: Simpson College
Current Graduate Work: Sport Management

Outdoor Pursuits Graduate Assistant

Austin Pearson
AT-Pearson2@wiu.edu
Hometown:  Rockford, Illinois
Undergraduate Education:  Western Illinois University
Current Graduate Work:  Sport & Exercise Psychology

Multimedia Marketing & Aquatics Graduate Assistant

Kyle Randolph
K-Randolph@wiu.edu
Hometown: Macomb, Illinois
Undergraduate Education: Western Illinois University
Current Graduate Work: MBA

Golf Course Graduate Assistant

Jacob Scheitlin
JR-Scheitlin@wiu.edu
Hometown:  Mediaopolis, Iowa
Undergraduate Education:  Western Illinois University
Current Graduate Work:  Kinesiology