Every month, the Administrative/Professional (A/P) Council highlights an A/P staff member through a series of questions as another way for the Illinois State University community to connect. This month, readers get to know Bryan Haunert, director of Campus Recreation.
Job title/Position: Director of Campus Recreation
Job Duties: Provide vision, management, and leadership for the Department of Campus Recreation. Partner with the Campus Recreation team in providing quality facilities and programs to the University community, including fitness programs, adventure programs, intramural sports, clubs sports, drop-in recreation, and student employment programs in the Student Fitness Center, Bowling and Billiards Center, Redbird Adventure Center, and Gregory Street Fields.
How long have you been employed at Illinois State? I started at ISU on March 1, of this year after seven years as the director of Recreation and Wellness at Loyola University of Maryland.
What do you love most about working at Illinois State? I’ve really enjoyed how welcoming everyone has been. When I was on campus interviewing for the position, I had a gut feeling of a campus that valued relationships and looked out for one another. That gut feeling has been 100% correct.
What is one fact about yourself that might surprise people? If I was not working in higher education, I would love to try my hand at flipping houses and interior decorating.
When you’re not working, what are you most likely doing? Spending time with my wife, Terri, and 7-year-old son, Jackson.
What is your favorite spot on campus? I really enjoy my walks through the Quad when the weather is nice. There is something about the energy of a college campus that gets me every time.
What quote inspires you? Why? Having worked in campus recreation and intercollegiate athletics over the past 25 years, I’m always a sucker for a good sports quote. The following is my favorite from Michael Jordan. It reminds me that bouncing back and going through adversity are part of the process and what drives me: “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
