PITTSBURG — Pittsburg State University Vice President of Athletics Jim Johnson announced a pair of staff promotions in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics today (Aug. 20).

Natalie Cullen has been elevated to the role of Associate Vice President of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator and Anthony Crespino has been promoted to the role of Deputy Athletic Director.

Cullen, who previously served as Deputy Athletic Director, will have oversight of all areas related to student-athlete wellness, success, and development as well as NCAA and MIAA rules compliance, scholarships administration, and academic services. In this role she will continue to work closely with the Student Affairs and Enrollment Management team and other areas of campus. Cullen is entering her 26^th year as a staff member in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Crespino will have oversight of all daily operational areas in his new role as Deputy Athletic Director. He returned to his alma mater in September 2024 after working in multiple NCAA Division I athletics roles the previous 12 years. Crespino was elevated to the role of Senior Associate Athletic Director for Operations & Special Projects earlier this year.
These changes magnify the program's renewed commitment to serving and supporting student-athletes first, while also providing a high service level to coaches, the campus, and the community.

"With the recent growth of Gorilla Athletics in terms of sports and student-athletes, we restructured our administrative staff somewhat with a focus on the service and opportunities we provide student-athletes in today's new world of college athletics, as well as a renewed focus on operations so that we best serve our coaches, fans, and constituents," Johnson said, "The goal was to create two umbrella areas with two oversight individuals and the remainder of our staff will continue to support both of these areas in their varied roles of expertise."

Continuing in their current roles (and completing the department's senior leadership team), are Lacie Anderson (Senior Associate AD/Administration) who will continue with oversight of the ticket office, human resources, and overall department administration; Damian Smithhisler (Senior Associate AD/Facilities) who will continue with oversight of all six athletics facility complexes; and Tom Westhoff (Senior Associate AD/Financial Operations) who will continue with oversight of overall financial operations.
 
Additionally, Keelah Hassion (Assistant AD/Development) continues as part of the leadership team in her role coordinating donor relations and fundraising with an emphasis on the Silverback Fund and other annual development initiatives and events.
 
"These are exciting times on campus and in intercollegiate athletics," Johnson said. "These changes reflect our goal to operate at a higher level of efficiency and to give our student-athletes and coaches every opportunity to succeed at the highest level possible."
 
Continuing in their roles of oversight of specific departmental functions are:
 
Dan Wilkes – Associate AD/Communications
Jacob Lenard – Associate AD/Fan Engagement
Nicolle Murphy – Assistant AD/Student Success
Kelly Miller – Assistant AD/Compliance Operations
Tucker Hoffman – Assistant AD/Ticket Operations
Beau Schultz – Assistant AD/Event Management
Kevin Kalm – Head Athletic Trainer
Bethany Foster – GM/Gorilla Sports Properties