Rockford University

Jessica Stanek was hired as the Director of Athletics at Rockford University in July 2025. Stanek takes the reigns of the department after spending the previous 18 years working as a coach and administrator at Rockford. Her four years as an NCAA athlete and a decade of NCAA Division III head coaching and administrative experience make her the right person to lead the department to new heights over the coming years.

Stanek held the position of Associate Director of Athletics at Rockford University since early 2019. In that role, she was heavily involved throughout campus and within the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC). Stanek served as Rockford's Senior Woman Administrator (SWA), was in charge of compliance, eligibility, athletic retention, overseeing multiple sports, home event management and completing yearly reports for the NCAA and other national sport governing bodies. Additionally, she taught classes at the University, served as an academic advisor and was the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee advisor. At the conference level, Stanek was also the NACC SWA chair for three years.

Prior to becoming a full-time administrator, Stanek began her tenure at Rockford University as an assistant women's basketball coach and then spent 11 seasons as the program's head coach. The Regents made five trips to the NACC Tournament, had 11 All-NACC selections, one NACC Freshman of the Year and one All-Region honoree during her tenure. Stanek also served as the assistant director of athletics during her final seven years of coaching.

Stanek earned her master's degree in Teaching from Rockford University and her bachelor's degree in Mass Communications with a Coaching minor from Minnesota State University-Mankato. She currently resides in Machesney Park, Ill. with her wife Angela and their children Bryn and Jordyn.