MARION, Ind. – Indiana Wesleyan University's search for a Director of Athletics is over, as Jon Young has been named the new leader of Wildcat Athletics. Young brings more than a decade of athletic leadership experience and will begin his role in June 2026.

"We are thrilled to have Jon Young join the athletic department at IWU," said Jon Kulaga, Ph.D., president of IWU. "Jon comes from a premiere private high school interscholastic athletic program where he has a long tenure of strategic visioning, leadership development, and fundraising success. He is a great mission fit with IWU and we look forward to Jon taking our athletic program to the next level in the years ahead."

Young joins the Wildcats after serving as the athletic director at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy since July 2012. During his tenure, he provided executive leadership for 26 interscholastic athletic programs and supervised a staff of more than 120 coaches. His responsibilities included directing comprehensive strategic planning, budgeting, and long-range development initiatives. Furthermore, Young led the department's fundraising efforts, donor relations, and sponsorship development to generate sustained growth for the athletic programs.

"I am truly honored and humbled to join Indiana Wesleyan University as the new Director of Athletics," said Jon Young Ph.D. "IWU has a rich tradition of excellence both on and off the field, and I'm eager to help build upon that legacy through intentional leadership and faithful stewardship of our athletic programs. My deepest desire is to see our coaches and student-athletes grow not only in competitive success but also in their integration of faith and character in all they pursue. I'm excited to partner with this remarkable community as we pursue Christ-centered excellence together."

While at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Young strengthened community partnerships and enhanced public relations strategies to increase attendance, school visibility, and stakeholder engagement. Additionally, he collaborated with executive leadership to align the athletics department with the institutional mission and student development priorities.

"At every step of the process, I was convinced that Jon is the kind of mission-fit leader who can step into IWU Athletics and lead with the Christ-centered focus we need," said Brian Jaworski, Ph.D., IWU's vice president of student development and athletics. "He brings experience in fundraising, strategic planning, and program development, along with a demonstrated track record of strengthening programs while maintaining a Christ-centered focus. This clearly set Jon apart, and I am excited to welcome him and his family to the IWU community."

Young completed his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Columbia International University in 2021. He previously earned his master's degree in Educational Administration from Emporia State University in 2009 after obtaining his bachelor's degree in Education and Bible from Baptist Bible College in 2002.



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