May 17, 2011

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Senior Associate Athletics Director Terry Cole, a familiar face at the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics for the past 32 years, and one who helped countless Fighting Illini student-athletes navigate toward academic success, has announced his retirement in August.

"Terry Cole has been an outstanding colleague and close friend," Director of Athletics Ron Guenther said. "Throughout his long and successful career, Terry was one of the most respected and well-liked individuals at the DIA and on campus. He is a man of high integrity and his role as our Senior Associate was invaluable to me as we addressed many complex issues. Terry did an exceptional job of building our student services unit and was our main liaison with the academic community. Terry will always be remembered as our student-athletes' strongest advocate. His loyalty and support will always be appreciated."

A native of East St. Louis, Ill., Cole received both his undergraduate and master's degrees from Illinois and joined the Illini staff in 1979 as an academic counselor. During his tenure at Illinois, Cole oversaw Academic Services, Strength and Conditioning, Facilities, and Sports Medicine, while also serving as sport administrator for football and women's basketball. He has been at the University for 35 years total.

"I have been privileged to be a part of the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Illinois," Cole said. "Over the course of my career, I have had the incredible opportunity to have an impact on the lives of thousands of student-athletes in "ways that have helped them become better athletes and better students.

"In my administrative role as senior associate athletics director, I have been allowed to work with a first-class organization and, together, we have developed our department into one of the best in the country, led by Ron Guenther. I will always be grateful for my experiences at the University of Illinois."

Cole and his wife, Elyne, who is also a University administrator, have two children and four grandchildren, and live in Champaign.