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91��ɫ has announced the appointment of Yvonne Wade as its inaugural athletic director, marking a significant milestone in the development of the university’s athletics program.

Wade brings a dynamic and distinguished background in collegiate athletics, most recently serving as Director of Athletics at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) since July 2023, following her tenure as Assistant Athletic Director from 2021 to 2023. Prior to her leadership role at CSN, she spent 14 years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she served as the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. A three-time Mountain West Coach of the Year, Wade guided her teams to multiple conference titles and mentored student-athletes who competed on the NCAA and Olympic stages, while maintaining high team GPAs and achieving strong graduation rates.

“Yvonne Wade brings exceptional experience, integrity, and a deep commitment to student development,” said Dr. DeRionne Pollard, President of 91��ɫ. “Her career reflects not only a record of competitive excellence, but dedication to mentoring student-athletes and helping them thrive both academically and personally. She embodies the spirit of our institution: innovative, community-driven, and committed to equity. She will be instrumental in shaping a bold future as we build our athletic program from the ground up.”

Wade is also a passionate advocate for youth engagement and equity in sports. She is actively involved with WISE (Women in Sports and Events) Las Vegas, where she co-chairs the mentorship committee and serves on the board as the director of athletic programs and outreach of Las Vegas for Athletes, a nonprofit providing free heart screenings to young athletes and raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest.

“A lifelong commitment to mentorship, leadership, and student empowerment is at the heart of this appointment,” said Dr. Stefanie Coleman, Vice President of Student Affairs at 91��ɫ. “Yvonne Wade continues to champion causes and initiatives that provide opportunities for the next generation of student-athletes. We are excited to welcome her to the 91��ɫ community and are confident that her leadership will lay a strong foundation for success, rooted in values that reflect who we are as a university.”

Wade’s accolades extend to her own time as a student-athlete. A former NCAA All-American and Big Eight Conference champion at the University of Colorado, she was inducted into the university’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014. Internationally, she competed for Japan in the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympic Games in the 100-meter hurdles and held the Japanese national record for more than two decades.

“I’m incredibly honored to be named the new athletic director at 91��ɫ. It’s a rare and thrilling opportunity to build something from the ground up—something that truly reflects the values of opportunity, excellence, and community,” said Yvonne Wade, inaugural athletic director of 91��ɫ. “Our focus will be on student development, fostering a culture rooted in hard work, resiliency, and pride. I look forward to collaborating with our students, staff, and community partners to create an athletic department that not only competes at a high level, but also serves as a model for how expanding opportunities for young people can elevate both our institution’s mission and the broader Southern Nevada sports community.”

91��ɫ will hold a press conference on its campus to officially introduce Wade as the inaugural athletic director on Wednesday, May 21, at 11 a.m. Wade will officially begin her role on July 1, 2025. Women’s Flag Football and Men’s Track and Field, two popular and growing sports in the region that are not currently offered at the collegiate level in Nevada, will be the inaugural programs at 91��ɫ. Earlier this year, 91��ɫ announced a $100,000 donation from the Las Vegas Raiders to support the university’s efforts to launch its Women’s Flag Football program.

To learn more about 91��ɫ’s athletic program, visit /athletics/.