General | 8/31/2022 7:57:00 PM

August 31, 2022 – Emporia State University Athletic Director David Spafford has announced several updates to the Emporia State Athletics management team.  

Erin Mykelby has been named Deputy Athletic Director, Brett McLaughlin is now Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Operations + Marketing, Dusty Eubanks is now Athletic Business Manager and Ashley Foraker has been hired as Executive Assistant to the Athletic Director.

"As we settle into the new school year, we are restructuring staff responsibilities to best position us to meet the goals of Emporia State Athletics," said Spafford. "Along with the rest of the university we are moving forward focused and future ready."

Erin Mykleby, promoted to Deputy Athletic Director, joined Emporia State University in the summer of 2021. In her first year she oversaw the Hornets Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and academic services for athletics, as well as served on the Presidential Leadership Team. Emporia State finished sixth in the nation in the NCAA Helper Helper community service competition while posting the highest department wide GPA in school history. She was instrumental in ushering Emporia State Athletics through Presidential and Athletic Director leadership changes in 2021-22.

In addition to her current responsibilities, Mykleby will now have sport oversight responsibilities for soccer, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field, men's and women's disc golf and the department's strength and conditioning program.

Brett McLaughlin, promoted to Sr. Associate Athletic Director for External Operations + Marketing began as the Director of Marketing in September 2017 and added Ticket Operations in June 2018. In June 2019, he was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director of External Operations. He is responsible for all external branding and marketing of Emporia State Athletics. During his time, he has transitioned Emporia State to the Hometown Tickets system and played a major role in the revamped Game Day Experience at Emporia State. He was also responsible for creating "The Corkys – A Student-Athlete Celebration" to honor Hornet student-athletes at the end of each school year.

In addition to his current responsibilities, McLaughlin will now have sport oversight responsibilities for softball and baseball and will work closely with ESU Marketing + Communication as the university implements the ONE ESU vision.

Dusty Eubanks, promoted to Emporia State Athletics Business Manager, where she will oversee the financial operations of the Athletics Department. She started as the Office Manager in the fall of 2019 and has served in a dual role as Business Manager and Office Manager since December of 2021. She came to Emporia State following a 20 year career at the Emporia State Federal Credit Union.

Ashley Foraker started with the Emporia State Athletics Department in June of 2022 as Executive Assistant to the Athletic Director. In her role she provides administrative and organizational support to the Athletic Director and is the point of contact for all Intercollegiate Athletic Staff, student workers, graduate assistants and various vendors.

"I am looking forward to working closely with our staff as we continue to elevate Emporia State Athletics. These changes are just the beginning as we will continuously evaluate and adjust to help deliver the best Division II experience for our student-athletes," said Spafford.

###HORNETS###