Tim Leonard

Biography

Tim Leonard was named the 16th full-time director of intercollegiate athletics at Southern Illinois University on July 22, 2022. A 30-year veteran of athletic administration, Leonard previously served for eight years (2013-21) as director of athletics at Towson University of the Colonial Athletic Association, leading a department of 19 intercollegiate sports and overseeing a $25 million budget. During his tenure at Towson, Leonard produced a strategic plan for athletics entitled "Building Greatness," which resulted in record fundraising success and led to a balanced departmental budget. Under his direction, the Tiger Athletic Fund secured the three largest gifts in department history, and Towson built new facilities for basketball, football, softball and tennis programs. The Tigers were successful on and off the field, setting school records for most wins in a season in football and men's basketball, plus NCAA tournament appearances in volleyball, lacrosse, gymnastics, and track and field. Prior to Towson, Leonard was senior associate AD for external affairs at Southern Methodist from 2008-13, where he managed "The Second Century Campaign: SMU Unbridled" capital campaign, which raised $725 million with $125 million designated for athletic initiatives. He also spent nine years at Central Florida (1999-2008) in development roles, where UCF experienced a tenfold increase in giving during his tenure. A 1992 graduate of Boise State, Leonard is a member of the National Association