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Former Ilini tight end Josh Whitman has been named athletic director at Division III Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Whitman, who caught 52 passes for 552 yards and seven touchdowns in a four-year run at Illinois (through 2000), was selected from a field of more than 70 applicants. He has been an attorney since September 2009 at Covington & Burling LLP in Washington, D.C.

"I am privileged to have the opportunity to join the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and to lead one of the nation's elite Division III athletics programs,"? said Whitman. "With the support of the University and the La Crosse community, I am confident that we can push Eagle athletics to even greater heights."

At Illinois, Whitman was an assistant to the director of athletics in 2007-2008 and coordinator of special projects from 2005-2007. While at Illinois, Whitman was involved in numerous aspects of the athletics department's operations, including development, marketing, sports information, internal operations, and student-athlete programs. He worked on marketing and financing programs.

Whitman spent time with the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks and Miami Dolphins. He retired from the NFL as a vested veteran following the 2004 season.

"We're delighted that Josh Whitman is becoming our next athletic director," said Chancellor Dr. Joe Gow. "As a result of his extensive experience as an administrator, lawyer and NFL player he has a unique appreciation of the importance of integrating academics and athletics. But this isn't surprising, because at the same time he was a star athlete at the University of Illinois, he was earning an impressive grade point average and completing his undergraduate degree in just three-and-a-half years. He's also written law review articles and worked for a prestigious Washington,D.C. law firm."