The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has announced Abby Gildernick as the new assistant director of athletics and senior woman administrator.
Gildernick comes to UW Oshkosh from St. Norbert College, where she was promoted to the title of associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator in August. Gildernick served three years as the school’s assistant director of athletics and senior woman administrator prior to her promotion.
Gildernick brings a confident and competitive demeanor to a 19-sport UWO athletics program that is led by Athletics Director Darryl Sims. Gildernick will collaborate with Sims in guiding the program while being the primary contact for student-athlete compliance and the department’s name, image and likeness (NIL) efforts. She also will oversee several sports and lead the organization of conference and national championship events hosted by the University.
“Abby’s education, leadership experience and passion for helping student-athletes become the best that they can be both academically and athletically made her a top candidate in our search,” said Sims. “She is familiar with our university and our conference and will be a great addition to our department.”
Gildernick handled the St. Norbert College athletic department’s business affairs, including budgeting and forecasting. She also managed the department’s travel arrangements while providing event management at home athletics contests.
Gildernick supervised sports programs and other areas within the athletics department, including baseball, men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country/track and field, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s hockey, equipment and sports medicine.
In addition to her senior woman administrator duties, Gildernick served as the adviser for the St. Norbert College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She also supervised the department’s NIL affairs and was responsible for institutional control of National Collegiate Athletics Association, Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference, Midwest Conference and National Collegiate Hockey Association compliance.
“I would like to thank Darryl Sims and the entire UW Oshkosh athletics department for the opportunity to join one of the best traditions in Division III athletics,” Gildernick said. “I enjoyed meeting the staff and coaches and look forward to working with them. I’m excited to be on campus soon and help continue UW Oshkosh’s student-athletes to achieving at a high level.”
Gildernick was a four-year member of the St. Norbert College softball team. She also was a student assistant coach for the school’s women’s basketball program and the commencement speaker for the St. Norbert College class of 2014.
The West De Pere High School graduate was the coordinator of athletics at Lawrence University from 2015-17. She also was an assistant coach for the school’s women’s basketball team.
Gildernick was a graduate assistant for women’s basketball and a graduate assistant within the sports administration department at Eastern Kentucky University during the 2017-18 school year, acquiring a master’s degree in the process.
Gildernick begins her UWO position Jan. 13.
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