MACOMB, Ill. - Matt Tanney, Director of Compliance at the University of Oklahoma, has been hired as Associate Athletics Director for Leatherneck Athletics. The hiring was announced by Western Illinois University Director of Athletics Dr. Tim Van Alstine on Wednesday (June 13). Tanney will officially begin on July 9.

Tanney will supervise all facets involving Leatherneck student-athletes, including: compliance, academic services, financial aid, strength and conditioning, and athletic training along with facility management and sport administration. The Bloomington, Illinois native joins Western after working in the compliance office at Oklahoma since May 2011.

He managed all facets of institutional recruiting procedures, served as compliance administrator at events, worked with the Big 12 Conference and NCAA offices on compliance items, and created compliance education materials for staff members.

Prior to working for the Sooners, Tanney worked two years at the University of Dayton in the same capacity. He managed the daily operations of the 17-sport Football Championship Subdivision compliance department, supervised an internship program, worked as a sport administrator at home athletic events, assisted in the NCAA First Four games in the men's basketball tournament, compliance education for staff members, and worked with the Atlantic 10 Conference and NCAA offices.

"I'd like to thank Dr. Tim Van Alstine for this opportunity, along with Dr. Tom Cody and the members of the search committee. My family and I are excited to join the Leatherneck and Macomb communities," said Tanney. "Participation in NCAA athletics can have a profound and positive impact on student-athletes, and I look forward to working with our coaches, staff, and various campus departments to provide the optimal experience for all student-athletes during their time at Western."

Tanney worked for a year and a half as a Law Clerk at the National Federation of State High School Associations in Indianapolis, then for a year at The Ohio State University as a Compliance Coordinator prior to joining the staff at Dayton. He began his collegiate athletics career volunteering in the compliance office at fellow-league member IUPUI while working on his law degree from Indiana University. Tanney was a member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society at IU and received his Juris Doctor in May 2008.

"We received a number of quality applicants for the Associate Athletics Director position, and we are very excited to bring Matt on board. In a short amount of time Matt built an impressive resume," said Van Alstine. "He brings a broad-based background in collegiate athletics, having worked at Football Championship Subdivision and BCS-level compliance departments, while gaining professional experience utilizing his law degree. Matt has the skill set to provide great leadership for Leatherneck Athletics and help provide the best possible experience for our student-athletes."

In May 2005, Tanney graduated with honors from Wabash College with a bachelor's degree in English and received the Bingham Law Award that spring. He played basketball for a year and two years in football for the Little Giants. Matt and his wife Julia have two daughters, Lillian and Katelyn.

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