By Brian Hoffman
Roanoke College has announced the hiring of Thomas Wehner as Director of Athletic Communications. Wehner will begin his duties on August 15.
Wehner returns to the ODAC after spending the past six months working as the Associate Sports Information Director at Division I Norfolk State University. While with the Spartans, he served as the primary contact for women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, bowling, and softball. It was during this time that Wehner was the primary point of contact for the 2022 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball champions and traveled and covered the team as they played in the NCAA Div. I tournament in Fort Worth. He also coordinated streaming services for all home softball contests, including the 2022 MEAC Softball Championship held on the NSU campus.
While with the Spartans, Wehner served as the primary graphics coordinator and worked with the social media content creator to expand the Spartans reach with new looks.
Prior to his time in Norfolk, he served two and a half years as the Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations at fellow ODAC member Hampden-Sydney College. With the Tigers, Wehner was the soccer, swimming, tennis, and lacrosse contact. In addition, he was the primary/only graphic designer and video producer for H-SC athletics. While with the Tigers, he served as the official statistician for the 2021 NCAA Division III Softball Atlantic Regional hosted by Virginia Wesleyan in Virginia Beach. He also served as a Co-SAAC Advisor, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator for Athletics, and as a member of the College’s Title IX Committee.
“I was so impressed with Thomas’ background and experience,” said Director of Athletics Scott Allison ’79. “The stint at the Division I level has been invaluable. With his knowledge of the resources provided by the ODAC office, and the quality relationships he already has within the league, we’ve hit the ground running.”
“I am blessed to be joining such an incredible and successful athletic department in Roanoke,” said Wehner. “I want to thank Director of Athletics Scott Allison and the entire search committee throughout the entire process. I have found that my ideas and goals on how to lead the efforts for all Maroon student-athletes match those of the coaches and athletic administration.”
Prior to joining the staff at H-SC, Wehner earned a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in May 2019. While with the NCAA Div. II Fighting Scots he served as the primary contact for women’s volleyball, women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s tennis, as well as the Div. I wrestling program. He also worked as the primary graphic designer and video producer. In March 2019, Wehner traveled to Roanoke to assist in working the NCAA Div. III Wrestling National Championship hosted by fellow ODAC member Ferrum College.
Wehner served as the head boy’s tennis and assistant football coach at John Champe High School in Aldie, Va. from 2012-16, leading the tennis team to a pair of conference championships and an appearance in the state quarterfinals in 2016. In addition to his coaching duties, he helped work several games and tournaments hosted by John Champe.
Prior to his time with the Knights, Wehner spent the 2007-09 seasons working at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, serving as the primary contact for women’s volleyball, men’s basketball, rifle, men’s and women’s tennis, and softball. He then completed his Master of Arts in Curriculum & Instruction in August of 2011 at TTU.
Wehner graduated in 2007 from Ferrum College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian. He was a three-year member of the men’s tennis team with the Panthers. He helped Ferrum finish 12-7 during his junior year, earning fourth place in the USA South, still the third-best mark in team history.
Wehner is a member of the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) and College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).