CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Former Fighting Illini defensive end and NFL standout Fred Wakefield is returning to the Illini Family to serve as Director of West Coast Development and Donor Relations for the University of Illinois I FUND and the Office of Athletics Development. He will operate out of Phoenix, Ariz., where he has worked in the private sector for the past three years.

"I could not be more excited about this opportunity to reunite with the place that I called home for so many years," Wakefield said. "I have always had a great affinity for the University and a strong desire to become more involved with Illini Athletics. Myself and my family are grateful for this role and are looking forward to connecting and growing the Illini Family."

Wakefield, a Tuscola, Ill. native, played for the Illini from 1997-2000, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2000 at defensive end. A team captain as a senior, he ranks fourth on the single-season and career tackles-for-loss list and third for career quarterback sacks and seventh in season sacks in the Illinois record books. In 2000, he led the team with 21 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, nine of those were sacks.

After eight years in the National Football League – six with the Arizona Cardinals and two with the Oakland Raiders – Wakefield returned to the central Illinois area where he served in the financial industry with Northwestern Mutual and in the health care sector. While back in Illinois, he also returned to the University of Illinois to obtain his MBA.   

In Phoenix, Wakefield has been working in sales and as the Director of Strategic Alliances for a Bay Area cybersecurity consultancy.

 "We are thrilled that Fred has agreed to join our Fighting Illini staff," Director of Athletics Josh Whitman said. "I have known Fred for more than 20 years, going back to when his locker was steps away from mine in Memorial Stadium.  He has tremendous integrity and unmatched passion for the University of Illinois.  His intelligence, energy, and infectious personality will serve our department well as he connects with many of our proud alumni and supporters in the western part of the country and here on our campus.  Fred embodies the "Illinois identity" about which we have so often spoken, and we are excited to welcome him, his wife Casey, and their three kids to our DIA family."

"We are elated about the addition of Fred to our fundraising team," Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development Howard Milton said.  "Our research and data tell us that there are thousands of loyal Illini fans, and dedicated Alumni in the Western United States.  The hiring of Fred will allow us to enhance our engagement initiatives in these regions, and we believe there is no better person for the job."

Wakefield also served as the Board President for Crisis Nursery. He and his wife, Casey, have three children – a son, Jamison and daughters, Carlee and Emma.