CHAMPAIGN, IL – Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman announced today additions and changes to the nine-member executive staff cabinet that oversees all day-to-day operations for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. 

These changes, which were prompted by the impending retirement of Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director Paul Kowalczyk, include the promotion of current administrator Maria Woods to executive senior associate athletics director and the hire of Sara Burton to senior associate athletics director.

Woods is finishing her sixth year as the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) at Illinois and represents the university at Big Ten and NCAA meetings. In addition, she is the liaison for gender equity and Title IX issues. In her new role, Woods will lead DIA's sport administration team, a collection of administrators tasked with supervising the coaching staff and assisting with advancing the sport programs' interests.

Sara Burton
Senior Associate Athletics Director for Sports Administration

"Maria Woods is very deserving of the greater leadership responsibility that she now assumes following Paul Kowalczyk's retirement," Whitman said. "Maria has deep, diverse experience at several institutions and, in her years at Illinois, has built strong relationships with staff and coaches. She has led us through a number of challenging situations with skill and tact, and I have been impressed with her toughness and ability to navigate difficult circumstances. I appreciate her stepping forward into this augmented role, and I am excited to work more closely with her to advance Illinois Athletics."

Burton fills the void created by Woods' promotion and will be a senior associate athletics director for sports administration. Burton worked with Whitman at both University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Washington University, where she has served three years as an associate AD and the SWA for the Bears. At WashU, she supervised a collection of sports, including track and field/cross country, golf, tennis and softball, along with a variety of support functions. Burton was the campus liaison on a number of fronts, including academics, diversity and inclusivity, student-athlete wellness, and student body outreach and promotions.

"I am thrilled to welcome Sara Burton to our Fighting Illini family," Whitman said. "With her long-time experience as a coach, administrator, and college instructor, Sara understands better than most the many layers of the collegiate athletic experience. She excels at building relationships with students, staff and coaches, and she works tirelessly on their behalf to create better opportunities for their success. In our prior experiences together, Sara has proven herself to be a trusted colleague and an exceptional leader. She will push us to be better in every facet of what we do. I am grateful to Sara and Jenny for their commitment to the University of Illinois and Fighting Illini Athletics and look forward to their arrival."

Prior to arriving in St. Louis, Burton was on staff at UW-L for 22 years, including 20 years as the head women's soccer coach, where she compiled a record that ranked among the best in the history of the school and the conference. While Whitman was AD at UW-L, Burton transitioned away from the sidelines and assumed the role of student-athlete success coordinator, working directly with coaches and student-athletes on a number of student-centered initiatives.

"I would like to thank Josh Whitman, his executive leadership team, and the staff for the opportunity to join the Illini Family," Burton said. "This is a phenomenal opportunity and I am humbled and honored to join in emboldening the advancement of the department mission to unify, develop, inspire, and achieve, by partnering with our talented coaches, staff members, and student-athletes. My enthusiasm to join this team is propelled by the fact that Illini Athletics has a strong sense of purpose, an inclusive approach to leadership, and a unified vision. During my interview, it quickly became evident to me that Illinois is a special place and I am eager to engage with members of this community."

A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Burton earned her undergraduate degree from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where she was a member of the women's soccer team. She has a master's degree from UW-L and is married to Jenny King, who also works at WashU. Burton's first day at Illinois is Aug. 7.