Brian Evans Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Services
Dr. Brian Evans serves as the Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Services, overseeing the academics and eligibility of approximately 350 student-athletes in 16 sports.
Evans arrived at Utah State in July 2000 and has been directing and growing the program to meet the needs of student-athletes and coaches. During his tenure he has added a full-time academic counselor, a learning specialist, and a 2nd graduate intern position.
Evans has been a member of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) Board of Directors, and is the immediate past Region V Director of N4A. He's a member of the N4A Legislative Services committee and has served on NCAA working groups, most recently the At-Risk Student-Athlete group from which the FLAG program was born.
A native of Hershey, Nebraska, Evans came to USU from Lubbock, Texas where he was an assistant director of academic-athletic services at Texas Tech University. He completed his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Montana State University; Masters in Athletics Administration from Idaho State University; and Bachelor's in Journalism - Public Relations from the University of Colorado-Boulder.
In his spare time he enjoys fly fishing the streams of northern Utah and southern Idaho, running the many mountain trails around Logan, golfing, and working on various projects to upgrade his 1952 rambler!
Brian Evans
Student Athlete Services Director
Utah State University - Student Athlete Services
435-797-1868
brian.evans@usu.edu
Jason Thomas Assistant Director / Academic Advisor
Jason Thomas joined the Student-Athlete Services staff in May of 2008, as the Academic Advisor/Tutor Coordinator. He is an alumnus of Utah State University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Marketing and Human Resource Management and a master's degree in Corporate Wellness. Jason is the sport counselor for Women's Basketball, Men's & Women's Track and Men's & Women's Tennis.
Thomas was a member of the Utah State Football Team from 2001-2004. Due to serious knee complications his collegiate playing days were cut short. Thomas concluded his career at Utah State as a student assistant wide receiver coach with the Aggie football team for the 2004-2005 season. During his coaching stint Thomas also planned and delivered pre-game chapel services for the football team.
Thomas is a native of Moreno Valley, Ca and is married to the former Aggie Women's Track & Field heptathlete, Dayna Barrett. The couple has one child, Ezekiel James Thomas. Thomas is grateful for the opportunity to continue to interact with student-athletes at Utah State University and hopes that his passion for life will help to impact the lives of all he comes in contact with.
Thomas enjoys listening to all genres of music, producing and performing music, spending time with family and friends, playing and watching all sports, and working out.
Jason M. Thomas
Assistant Director
Utah State University
Student-Athlete Services
Phone: (435) 797-1783
Fax : (435) 797-1837
jason.thomas@usu.edu
Amber Rae Childers Academic / Life Skills Coordinator
Amber Rae Childers serves as an Academic/Life Skills Coordinator for Student-Athlete Services. She is the sport counselor for women's soccer, women's volleyball and men's & women's track. In addition to her responsibilities as a sport counselor, she coordinates the Life Skills program for student-athletes.
Prior to coming to Utah State University, she served one year as an Assistant Academic Coordinator within the Academic Support Program for Student Athletes at North Carolina State University. Childers also gained experience in athletics through internships at Carroll College and Auburn University at Montgomery.
Childers is a native of Prosser, Washington. She completed her bachelor's in Business Administration and Health & Physical Education from Carroll College, and her master's degree in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from University of Washington.
She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, attending sporting events, and spending time outdoors.
Amber Rae Childers
Academic/Life Skill Coordinator
Utah State University - Student-Athlete Services
435-797-3294
amberrae.childers@usu.edu
Nnamdi Gwacham Graduate Intern
Nnamdi Gwacham joined the Student-Athlete Services staff in January of 2010 as the Study Hall Monitor/Graduate Intern. He is an alumnus of Utah State graduating with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. Gwacham, who played Wide Receiver for the Aggie football team from 2005-2009, is currently working on his Masters degree in Exercise Science. A native of Nigeria, Gwacham moved with his family to Chino Hills, CA when we was 11. After finishing his second degree, he plans to attend Medical School with goals of becoming an Orthopedic Specialist.
Nnamdi enjoys movies and reading books by James Patterson.
Katie Szilagyi Undergraduate Intern
Katie Szilagyi (Sil-ah-gee) joined the Student-Athlete Services staff in the spring of 2009 as a tutor in English, Sociology, and a range of other subjects and as a mentor for student-athletes. She continues to help monitor these programs as she now works for SAS as an undergraduate intern. Szilagyi plans to graduate in May of 2010 with a BS in English and a secondary education teaching license and will continue on with Student-Athlete Services as a graduate assistant as she attends graduate school in the fall to pursue a MS in English Literature & Writing.
Szilagyi has been attending Utah State University since she enrolled as a freshman and has served in various capacities for the school. First, working for Facilities/Maintenance, she learned the inside and out of campus. Next, as a Rhetoric Associate, Szilagyi worked with students from all different disciplines assisting them to better their writing skills. Finally, working with Student-Athlete Services, she enjoys working with student-athletes to help them balance school and sport.
Szilagyi was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but she was raised in northern Illinois and calls it home. In her free time, she loves to read, hike, snowboard, play disc golf, swim, and be outdoors.
