WARRENSBURG, Mo. – University of Central Missouri Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
Matt Howdeshell announced several staff promotions in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics on Thursday, Sept. 18.
On UCM Athletics' Executive Leadership Team,
Joe Thuente has been elevated to Deputy Athletic Director for External Relations,
Crystal Westphal has been promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations, and
Kelsey Lee has been elevated to Senior Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Capital Projects.
Lori Hopkins, Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator, and Howdeshell, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, round out UCM Athletics' Executive Team.
"Intercollegiate athletics is a complex organization with many moving parts, where things are changing rapidly, and you win with people first. Having a strong and diverse leadership team is critical to being successful in this modern world of college athletics," Howdeshell said. "These elevations and title adjustments accurately reflect the responsibilities, decision-making, and leadership our executive team provides to our student-athletes and coaches. Their growth reflects personal achievement and the collective progress we are making as a department. We look forward to more opportunities for growth from within UCM Athletics."
Thuente, who previously served as Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Relations, has oversight of the department's athletics annual fund, sponsorships, ticketing, marketing and promotions, communications, creative content, and licensing and trademarks areas, and serves as the sport administrator for Mules Baseball, Mules Wrestling and Mules Golf. He arrived at UCM in the summer of 2024.
Westphal, who formerly served as the Associate Athletic Director for Business Operations, oversees financial services, athletics equipment, and human resources for the department, and is the sport administrator for Jennies Soccer, UCM Cheerleading, and the UCM Mulekickers Dance Team. She has been at Central Missouri since 2012.
Lee, who previously was the Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Capital Projects, oversees the department's facility operations, event management, facility enhancements, and capital projects. She is also the sport administrator for Jennies Bowling. She came to Central Missouri in the spring of 2024.
Hopkins oversees student-athlete services, which include compliance and eligibility, academics, athletic training, strength and conditioning, and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). She is the sport administrator for Jennies Basketball, Jennies Volleyball, Mules & Jennies Track & Field and Cross Country, and Jennies Softball.
Howdeshell serves as the sport administrator for Mules Football, Mules Basketball and Jennies Golf.
In addition to the Executive Leadership Team elevations,
Billy Ukrazhenko has been promoted to Associate Athletic Director for Development.
"In the modern world of collegiate athletics, revenue generation is critical to ensure our student-athletes and coaches have the resources they need to be successful," Howdeshell said. "Billy's elevation reflects his leadership, the impact he has had on our department, and the importance of continued resource development."
Ukrazhenko oversees athletics development and major gifts, has shared oversight of athletics annual giving/the Cardinal & Black Fund, and assists Howdeshell with fundraising and revenue generation strategies.
Camron Leftwich, elevated to Director of Ticket Operations, rounds out the staff promotions for UCM Athletics.
"Camron is an outstanding member of our team. He is great with our fans as the head of ticketing, a good leader of his department staff, and a solid teammate for his fellow members of the external team,"
Joe Thuente said. "He makes this place better. This elevation more accurately reflects his contributions to our staff."
Leftwich oversees the UCM Athletics Ticket Office and has been with the department since 2022.
