Illinois State football alum Dr. Keenan Wimbley ’11, M.S. ’14, Ph.D. ’23, earned a Doctor of Philosophy from the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations this spring.
Appears InIn doing so, Wimbley became the second former Redbird student-athlete in his household to earn a doctorate. He is married to women’s basketball alum Dr. Brea Banks ’10, Ph.D. ’15, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology. The couple has three young children.
“We were together when Brea was getting her Ph.D., so I had an inside track to know what that process looks like,” Wimbley said. “It’s a lot. It’s a journey, and no one does it by themselves. So, having a supportive family has been essential.”
After playing for the Redbirds from 2008-11, primarily on the offensive line, Wimbley has worked at Illinois State for nearly his entire professional career. He currently serves as the assistant director of academic services for University College.
Fifteen years after arriving at Illinois State, Wimbley, his wife, and their three kids, have strong roots in Normal and can often be found cheering for the Redbird football and women’s basketball teams.
