RIVER FOREST, ILL. — After an incredible showing of candidates for the Concordia University Chicago (CUC) Athletic Director position, CUC Athletics has chosen Janet Wolbert '96 to become the next Director of Athletics. Wolbert will be moving into this position after working in CUC Athletics for the past seven years as an administrator. She will be the second female Athletic Director chosen in CUC Athletics history.
"We are delighted to announce that Janet Wolbert will be serving Concordia University Chicago as our new Director of Athletics," Kathy Gebhardt, Vice President for Student Success and Dean of Students, had to say on Wolbert's hiring. "Janet has been an incredible asset within the athletic department over the past seven years, taking on numerous responsibilities, and CUC has certainly been blessed by her service. Janet is well-prepared to step into this new role and we are excited to see what the future holds for Cougar Athletics."
Janet Wolbert '96 was named Interim Director of Athletics effective May 15, 2023. Prior to her appointment as Interim Director of Athletics, Wolbert was named Associate Director of Athletics at Concordia University Chicago in the winter of 2023 after previously holding the title of Assistant Director of Athletics since the summer of 2016.
With a passion for athletics and education, Wolbert has spent her career striving to support students in their successes within both their academic and athletic careers. Over the last seven years Wolbert has also served as the Senior Woman Administrator and Director of Athletic Compliance; both of which she will continue to serve in her role as Director of Athletics. In addition to sport oversight for the Cross Country, Track and Field, Lacrosse, Soccer, and Softball programs, Wolbert focuses on the student-athlete experience and overall success for members of all athletic programs. Her additional responsibilities include serving as Deputy Title IX Coordinator and overseeing student-athlete academic success and retention. Developing relationships with student-athletes is a priority for Wolbert as she strives to encourage their success in and out of the classroom and fields of competition.
"Concordia University Chicago has always held a special place in my heart and to be blessed with the opportunity to be among my mentors in leading this athletic department is not being taken lightly," Athletic Director Janet Wolbert had to comment. "I am grateful to Vice President Gebhardt and President Dr. Dawn for their confidence in me as I continue serving CUC in this new role. I look forward to working with our awesome student-athletes, incredible coaches, and wonderful staff, faculty, administration, and the overall CUC community to reinforce an athletic department led by faith, integrity and the pursuit of excellence where lifelong relationships and a positive experience are established. We have an amazing opportunity here at CUC where we can guide and challenge student-athletes academically, athletically, mentally, and spiritually as they prepare to serve out their vocations. I am excited to guide our athletic staff as we support the student-athletes on their journey."
Wolbert began her professional career in 1996 as an athletic director, basketball and volleyball coach, and teacher at Bethany Lutheran School in Houston, TX. In 1998, she relocated to Orlando, coaching basketball and teaching math at Oak Ridge High School. While at Oak Ridge, she was named Teacher of the Year in 2004, an honor for which she was both nominated and voted upon by her peers.
Wolbert returned to subsequent positions in athletics administration as an assistant AD at Freedom High School in Orlando from 2004 to 2010) and Ocoee High School in Ocoee, FL from 2010 to 2012), followed by being the Athletic and Activities Director at University High School in Orlando. While at all three institutions, Wolbert maintained a math teaching role, and the combination of the two worlds was a perfect fit for her.
Within the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), Wolbert serves as a member of the SWA professional development organization subcommittee and as chair for the Compliance and Eligibility Committee. A member of Women's Leaders in College Sports since 2018, Wolbert earned her BA in education/mathematics with a minor in exercise science from Concordia University Chicago in 1996. Additionally, she earned her MBA in 2008 from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL and is currently working on her Ed.D. in sports leadership at CUC.
Wolbert will begin her time as Athletic Director effective July 10, 2023.
