Janet Wolbert ’96 was named Director of Athletics in June of 2023. Prior to her appointment of Director of Athletics, Wolbert was named Interim Director of Athletics in May of 2023 after previously serving as Associate Director of Athletics at Concordia University Chicago since the winter of 2023. Prior to her promotion to Associate Director of Athletics, Wolbert held the title of Assistant Director of Athletics since the summer of 2016.
With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Wolbert, as a seasoned athletic administrator, has dedicated her professional journey to enhancing the student-athlete experience at both the high school and collegiate levels. Known for a student-athlete centered approach, she consistently prioritizes the well-being, academic success, and holistic development of athletes under her guidance.
Wolbert began her professional career in 1996 in education and athletics at Bethany Lutheran School in Houston, Texas. There, she demonstrated an early knack for leadership and program development working as an athletic director, basketball and volleyball coach, and a teacher. Transitioning to Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, Florida as a math teacher and basketball coach, she honed her skills in curriculum development and coaching, laying the groundwork for a career that seamlessly blends education with athletics.
Wolbert’s commitment to student-athletes and educational excellence led her to roles of increasing responsibility and impact. At Freedom High School in Orlando, she served as Assistant Athletic Director and coach for various sports where she was also instrumental in maintaining compliance and fostering a supportive environment for over 700 student-athletes. Wolbert’s leadership and teaching excellence were further evident during her tenure at Ocoee High School and University High School in Orlando where, as an Athletic and Activities Director, she oversaw 32 varsity programs and significantly contributed to the professional development of coaching staff, while also enhancing student-athlete leadership and advisory councils.
Returning to her alma mater in the summer of 2016, Wolbert’s transition to collegiate athletics brought her extensive high school experience to CUC where she has served in many roles during her time. Prior to the Director of Athletics role Wolbert held positions as the Associate Director of Athletics, Assistant Director of Athletics, and Student Athlete Advisory Committee Advisor (SAAC) while still actively serving as the Senior Woman Advisor (SWA), Director of Compliance, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, and Secretary of University Staff Council.
Since her return to CUC, Wolbert has been a driving force behind strategic planning, compliance, and fostering a collaborative environment that ensures the success and well-being of 400 student-athletes across the 20 athletic programs.
Wolbert’s work extends beyond the athletic department; as a member of several campus committees and task forces, she has been instrumental in improving the overall student experience and retention on campus. Additionally, her role as an adjunct professor in the College of Health Science and Technology allows her to directly contribute to the academic and professional development of students, as she initially began her career doing.
“My whole professional life has revolved around education and athletics,” Wolbert said on the balance of academics and athletics in her career. “Both areas have been about building relationships, whether with students or athletes. Starting with when I attended Concordia, the entire Division III environment has been a perfect theme for me. Now that I’m back at CUC in a different role, but where the Christian faith is still a primary focus, it really represents the best of three worlds for me.”
Wolbert holds a significant presence within the athletic community, evidenced by continuous membership in several prestigious associations since 2016, including the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the National Association of Division III Athletics Administrators (NADIIIAA), and the National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC), among others. Notably, she has played a crucial role in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), serving as the SWA Committee and as a Chair of the NACC Compliance Committee since 2019.
Wolbert’s career is marked by a consistent pursuit of excellence in athletic administration, underscored by a deep commitment to fostering the academic, emotional, and athletic growth of student-athletes. Her dedication to the holistic development of student-athletes is proven by her ability to lead and innovate the dynamic landscape of high school and collegiate athletics.
Wolbert earned her BA in education in mathematics with a minor in exercise science from Concordia University Chicago in 1996. Additionally, she earned her MBA in 2008 from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida and is currently working on her Ed.D in sports leadership at CUC.
