CHAMPAIGN, ILL. – Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman has named Roger Denny as the Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Denny, an attorney with nearly 15 years of experience practicing law, comes to Illinois from SpencerFane LLP in St. Louis, where he has been a partner since 2015.
"Roger Denny has extensive experience advising universities and their intercollegiate athletic programs, including the University of Illinois and Fighting Illini Athletics," Whitman said. "Throughout his career, Roger has developed expertise in a number of transactional subject matter areas, including executive compensation, taxation, and contracts; technology and data; sports, ranging from youth to professional; mergers and acquisitions; facility development and real estate; and, celebrity endorsements.
"In recent years, Roger has become one our department's most trusted outside advisors – a role that has allowed him to grow familiar with many of our internal operations and our senior leaders. His unique background, past experience, and skill set will prove beneficial to the DIA as we continue to navigate, and capitalize on, today's evolving landscape in college athletics."
In this new role, Denny will oversee DIA's Business Office, Facilities and Capital Projects, Human Resources and Sports Technology. He will also maintain oversight of the Atkins Tennis Center, the Atkins Golf Club, the Orange and Blue Golf Courses, and the Armory. In addition, Denny will supervise DIA camps and clinics.
"It's an honor to have this opportunity to join the outstanding team at University of Illinois," Denny said. "My work with Josh and the leadership group here has been incredibly rewarding, and I'm very excited to continue serving the University and its stakeholders in this new role."
Denny earned a bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University, a law degree from St. Louis University, and an LLM degree in tax from Washington University in St. Louis. He comes to Champaign-Urbana with his wife, Alecia, and their twin sons, Trey and Michael. Denny officially started in this new role July 12.
