Provost Dr. Christopher Sindt of Lewis University announced that Lewis University Athletics Director John Planek has resigned, effective October 31, 2023. He accepted a new position as Director of Athletics at Dominican University.
For 12 years, the Division II intercollegiate athletic department of Lewis University achieved unprecedented success under his direction. Currently, three of Lewis University's teams are nationally ranked including women's cross country (8), men's cross country (11) and women's volleyball (14). The men's soccer team is currently ranked fourth regionally.
Planek led the Lewis Flyers to unprecedented success.
• Learfield Cup finishes that were all-time highs for the university.
o In 2016-17, Lewis University captured a fourth-place finish
o In 2018-19, Lewis University earned a sixth-place finish
• Five teams advanced to the Final Four with a national final appearance in men's volleyball while the women's basketball team reached the Elite Eight.
• Women's volleyball appeared in 10 NCAA tournaments
• Women's basketball appeared in the NCAA tournament nine times
• Men's basketball made four NCAA appearances
In the 2022-23 season, Lewis won the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Commissioner's Cup for the best overall performance in the conference's core sports. Lewis won GLVC championships in women's volleyball, women's indoor and outdoor track and field and softball while women's basketball, men's soccer, and men's indoor and outdoor track and field all finished as GLVC runners-up and qualified for their respective NCAA championships.
Also last year, Lewis University's women's golf had an individual earn a trip to the NCAA national championships, while men's swimming had six swimmers qualify for the NCAA regionals along with one women's swimmer.
Beyond success on the field, Flyer student-athletes achieved historic success in the classroom during his term.
• 299 Lewis University student-athletes selected to the 2022-23 Academic All-Great Lakes Valley Conference Team
• 36 student-athletes had perfect 4.00 GPAs in 2022-23
• Lewis University Athletics Department received in the Presidents' Award for Academic Excellence consecutively from 2016 - 2022
A national search will be conducted for a permanent replacement. Information regarding a search will be shared at a later date. Effective November 1 and while a search is conducted, Lewis will have interim co-Athletic Directors, Jen Janczak, Associate Director, Athletic Training, and Senior Woman Officer; and Ed Schaffer, Associate Director for Compliance.
"I want to thank John for his leadership and the tireless dedication he brought to Flyer Athletics," said Sindt. "Under his leadership Flyer athletes have achieved great success in the classroom and in competitions. I wish him the very best in his future endeavors."
