BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – Dr. Rae Emrick has been named Director of Athletics at West Virginia Wesleyan College, building on a 25-year career in athletic training and administration at her alma mater.
Emrick, a Harrison County native, completed her post-secondary education and has earned degrees from West Virginia Wesleyan College (1995), Marshall University (1997) and West Virginia University (2018). After graduating with a Master of Science degree from Marshall, Rae returned to WVWC as a member of the athletic training staff and embarked on a 25-year career with the Bobcats.
Dr. James Moore, President of West Virginia Wesleyan College, said, “I’m honored that Dr. Emrick has agreed to take this position at this time in Wesleyan’s history. We have a real opportunity here to redefine and reshape the student-athlete experience in the 21st century in NCAA Division II athletics. Dr. Emrick’s experience at Wesleyan, coupled with her passion for students and her extensive and rich experiences make her an ideal choice for leadership.”
During Emrick’s initial tenure at WVWC, she served the college in a number of different capacities which included staff, faculty, and academic and athletic administrative roles. Dr. Emrick’s professional career has been closely related to WVWC Athletics. Rae served the Department of Athletics and WVWC through the Athletic Training Services Department and Program Director of the Athletic Training Program. For 15 years, she also served in the position as Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator under the tutelage of three athletic directors. After a brief departure from WVWC between August 2022 to February 2023, Rae returned to assist in the position of Senior Associate Athletic Director.
Throughout her career, Dr. Emrick’s leadership has been recognized and honored by her peers. In 2007, Dr. Emrick was named Athletic Training Educator of the Year by the West Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association (WVATA). The National Athletic Trainers’ Association Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine (NATA ICSM) recognized her as the 2018 NCAA Head Athletic Trainer of the Year NCAA DII. Additionally, Emrick received the WVWC Exemplary Teaching Award in the fall of 2018. The WVWC Faculty Assembly elected Dr. Emrick to the position of Vice Chair of the Faculty for the 20-21 academic year and then she subsequently served as Chair of the Faculty and ex officio member of the Board of Trustees for the 21-22 year. Most recently in 2022, she was honored with the WVATA Service Award.
Emrick said, “I want to thank Dr. Moore and the search committee for having the confidence in me to take on the role and responsibilities of Director of Athletics. I am extremely eager to work with Dr. Moore and the administration, the outstanding Athletic Department Staff, the WVWC Community and the Mountain East Conference to continue to make positive progress and create rewarding opportunities and experiences for our student athletes.
A press conference is being planned in early August to formally introduce Emrick.