Terry Wainless Position: Director of Athletics Institution: Sacramento State University

Dr. Terry Wanless' six-year tenure as Sacramento State's director of athletics has seen growth unparalleled in the school's 16-year Division I history. His vision of broad success in the department came to fruition during the 2006-07 academic year when the Hornets claimed an unprecedented eight conference championships.The university repeated the accomplishment in 2007-08 when it again won eight conference championships and was ranked by CNNSI as the 36th best athletic program in the nation. The athletic department also won the Big Sky Women's All Sports Championship for the first time in school history in 2007-08

Wanless has also overseen significant facility enhancement to the athletics facilities. The biggest changeoccurred in early 2008 with the opening of the 11 million dollarBroad Athletic Facility in May of 2008. The building will serve as the home to the Hornet football and track and field programs as well as athletic training and strength and conditioning.

Prior to Sacramento State, Wanless served as athletics director at North Dakota from 1990-1999, guiding the program to one of its most successful decades in school history. During that time, North Dakota enjoyed strong competitive success, winning four NCAA national championships and 36 conference titles.

Before his position at North Dakota, Wanless was director of intercollegiate athletics at Western Carolina for four years and held a variety of positions, including director of intercollegiate athletics at Towson.

Wanless earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from Black Hills State, a master's degree in physical education from Northern Illinois and his doctorate in athletics administration from Temple.

He and his wife, Joanne, are the parents of two children. Their daughter, Heather, and her husband, Chad Collins, reside in Lexington, Ky., with their daughter Hadley. Their son Troy, and his wife, Jesi, live in Minneapolis with their daughter, Elliana.