Brian Evans Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Services
Beginning his 13th year at Utah State as Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Services is Dr. Brian Evans. Evans joined the USU staff in July, 2000 after spending three years as Assistant Director of Athletic Academic Services at Texas Tech from 1997-2000. Previously he was the Academic Coordinator at Montana State from 1995-97.
Evans oversees the student-athlete services unit, directing academics and certification of initial and continuing eligibility of Utah State student-athletes. He directs a staff of three full-time assistants and two post-graduate interns, and has administrative oversight of the gymnastics program.
Under Evans' guidance, Utah State has led the Western Athletic Conference in number of academic all-league honorees in each of its seven years in the league, including the 2011-12 academic year as the Aggies landed 186 student-athletes on the academic all-WAC teams. Overall, USU has led its conference in most academic all-league honorees 13 times in the last 14 years as it led the Big West Conference in 2000 and 2002-05. In 2001, the Aggies ranked second in the Big West.
The 1987 Colorado journalism graduate, earned a master's degree in athletic administration from Idaho State in 1988 and a doctorate of higher education administration from Montana State in 2000.
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. In January 2009, he was promoted to Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Services. 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. During Jason's tenure at Utah State he has worked as the sport counselor for Men's & Women's Track and Field and Men's & Women's Tennis and is currently the sport counselor for Football and Women's Basketball.
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
Casey Fonnesbeck Learning Specialist
Casey Fonnesbeck joined the Student-Athlete Academic Services staff in May of 2012, as the Learning Specialist and Tutor/Mentor Coordinator. He is a graduate of The University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in Sports Management and also a graduate of Arizona State University with a master's degree in Higher and Post-Secondary Education. Casey is the Learning Specialist and Tutor/Mentor Coordinator for all sports. Casey was a member of the University of Illinois Track & Field Team from 2006-2010. He picked up many honors including Academic All BIG-10; Athlete-of-the-Week; and multiple BIG 10 scorer in the Shotput. After graduating with his bachelors from Illinois, Casey finished his eligibility at Arizona State University. He was a Maroon and Gold Scholar and a PAC-10 scorer in the Shotput. He also worked in the Student-Athlete Academic office as a mentor and assistant to the athletic academic advisers. He also worked in the track and field office where he helped plan trips, shadowed coaches, organized meets, and help Team Dave Dumble (TDD) become unstoppable. Casey is a native of Preston, Idaho and graduated high school for the Indians in May of 2006. Casey is very excited about this great opportunity to not only work with an amazing staff, but help student-athletes become the best they can be. His passion for helping does not stop with the student-athletes here at Utah State University; he is also a volunteer Track and Field coach for Logan High School Grizzles under Eric Bates. Casey enjoys spending time with his family, coaching, throwing, music festivals, and attending sporting events.
Casey Fonnesbeck
Learning Specialist
Utah State University - Student-Athlete Services
435-797-2740
casey.fonnesbeck@usu.edu
Alexis McClain Assistant Sport Counselor
Alexi s McClain is a post-graduate intern/assistant sport counselor for Athletic Academic Services at Utah State University. Alexis comes to Logan from Denver, CO where she was born and raised. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A in Psychology and Seattle University where she completed a Masters of Sports Management and Leadership. She has worked in many departments in athletics ranging from Athletic training to ticket sales but loves working in academics and is pursuing a career as an academic advisor/counselor. Alexis has lived all over the country from Seattle to Massachusetts and looks forward to a great year in Logan! She will assist with Football and study hall this year.
Alexis is an avid Denver Bronco fan and loves college football! She is excited to cheer on the Aggies both on the field/court as well as in the classroom!
Stephanie Hamilton Assistant Sport Counselor
Stephanie Hamilton joins Utah State University as a post-graduate intern/Assistant Sport Counselor. Stephanie is graduated from Seattle University receiving two masters' degrees: Sports Administration and Leadership; M. A. and Student Development Administration; M. Ed. She has volunteered her time in study hall for student athletes at Seattle University. At the University of Washington she was a Student- Athlete Academic Mentor, served as a study hall supervisor and as residence hall monitor for incoming freshmen in summer LEAP program. Stephanie received her undergraduate degree from Eastern Washington University in Interdisciplinary Studies of Behavioral and Social Sciences, August 2008. Her internships have also included advising in community college and creating workshops for the Women's Programs. She worked as a program assistant for Eastern Washington University at the Bellevue campus assisting students with admissions, financial aid, international, graduation applications, and preliminary advising. She is a very proud mother of a 24 year old daughter and enjoys her family time, outdoor activities, reading, and meeting new people.
