Kentucky Wesleyan College Names Jason Vittone Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics

Kentucky Wesleyan College President Dr. James Cousins has announced the appointment of Jason Vittone as Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics. Vittone, currently Director of Athletics at Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Va., brings nearly 30 years of experience in higher education and collegiate athletics. He will assume his new role on June 15.

Vittone is no stranger to Owensboro, having previously made his mark as the first baseball coach in Brescia College history. During his tenure, he led the Bearcats to five NAIA Regional appearances over nine seasons. He later spent 16 years at Central Methodist University, serving as head baseball coach and working in the admissions department.

“Jason’s distinctive fundraising expertise, proven track record of significantly increasing scholarship and operational funding, and his unique familiarity with our community position him ideally to lead our athletics department into its next chapter,” said President Cousins. “Jason’s understanding of the Owensboro area and his leadership style will be highly beneficial as we continue to advance the mission and strategic objectives of Kentucky Wesleyan College.”

From 2011 to 2022, Vittone served as Director of Athletics at William Woods University in Fulton, Mo., where he oversaw 21 varsity sports. In addition to his athletic administrative duties, he worked as an Advancement Officer, helping secure vital support for athletics programs. Under his leadership, the Owls won five consecutive American Midwest Conference (AMC) Presidents’ Cups. He also launched the school’s first corporate sponsorship program, bringing more than 20 partners on board, signed the NAIA’s first-ever apparel and team sponsorship deal, and helped host the 2014 and 2015 NAIA Women’s Division I Basketball National Championships. Vittone was twice named AMC Athletic Director of the Year (2013–14 and 2015–16) and served as Chair of the conference.

“I would like to thank President Cousins, members of the search committee and the athletics staff for entrusting me with this position,” said Vittone. “I am honored to step into this role and excited to build on the strong and historic foundation of this athletics department and college. I’m thrilled to join a community that values both athletic and academic success and am eager to get started.”

A strong advocate for academic success, Vittone has overseen programs that consistently achieved record-breaking GPAs and earned numerous academic awards at both Sweet Briar and William Woods.

Vittone earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Illinois State University and his Master of Science in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Emporia State University, where he also served as assistant baseball coach. He was inducted into the Emporia State Health, Physical Education and Recreation Hall of Honor in 2017.

He and his wife Kirstie have two sons, A.J. and Dominick, and look forward to returning to the Owensboro community.

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