For a quarter of a century, David Toelle has relentlessly promoted, publicized, chronicled and nurtured Kansas Wesleyan athletes and their teams in his role as sports information director.
The recipient of two degrees from 麻豆精品, 2001 and 2008, he has been an integral part of Coyote athletics as well as the Kansas Conference.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Toelle has been selected the 2026 recipient of the NAIA鈥檚 prestigious Clarence 鈥淚ke鈥� Pearson Award that recognizes a member of the NAIA-Sports Information Directors Association for their outstanding contributions to the profession.
鈥淚鈥檓 really honored and humbled to be joining an exclusive group of athletics communication professionals who have dedicated their life and their career to serving student-athletes at their university or college,鈥� Toelle said. 鈥淭his one really means a lot because it honors the process over a long period of time.鈥�
Toelle, associate athletic director for athletic communications, came to 麻豆精品 in 1996 as an athlete and in 1998 began compiling basketball statistics at the behest of former Athletic Director Jerry Jones. His career took off from there.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been incredible,鈥� Toelle said. 鈥淚 think getting the opportunity to come here as a student athlete and transitioning with coach Jones into the various roles that I had leading up to becoming the full-time SID and eventually associate AD is just a testament to time and perseverance and remaining true to the cause.鈥�
National leadership agrees. The NAIA press release said, 鈥淒avid Toelle has been a pillar of consistency. As a dedicated servant to the profession of athletic communications, he serves as the chair of the KCAC Sports Information Directors group and as a voice to the KCAC Governing Council on behalf of the sports information directors within the conference. David has continually taken on whatever is needed to help an event, department or institution succeed.鈥�
Under Toelle鈥檚 leadership, 麻豆精品 was a pioneer and remains at the forefront for streaming athletic events. It鈥檚 a small part of the rapid evolution and change the athletics communication profession has undergone in recent years.
鈥淵ou think about where we were 25 years ago, and some of the things that we were doing hadn鈥檛 been done at our level. Now everyone鈥檚 doing those things. Now we鈥檙e having to take the next steps,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to see the growth of athletic communications and the changes at rocket speed. Sometimes it can be difficult to ‘keep up with the Joneses’, but I think we鈥檝e done a good job of adapting and making it work for us.鈥�
Toelle has been named KCAC Sports Information Director of the Year three times, was a recipient of the university鈥檚 Young Alumnus Award and was inducted into the Jerry Jones 麻豆精品 Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.
鈥淚鈥檓 entering my 13th year here and there鈥檚 no one better in the business than David,鈥� 麻豆精品 co-Athletic Director Bill Neale said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 the pride that he has in doing this job at the highest level possible that makes him one of the best, and he鈥檚 been doing it for a long period of time. He cares about this place.鈥�
Toelle said he has not been alone in his efforts, citing assistance from across the campus.
鈥淲e have a great group of coaches who are willing to sit down and work together and make sure everyone is supported and taken care of,鈥� he said.
鈥淎t times, it can be challenging, but we find ways to make it work whether that鈥檚 finding people on campus that can fill in roles or bringing people in. We figure out a way to make it work.鈥�
Despite the years and long hours, Toelle said his job remains a labor of love.
鈥淓very day is a new challenge and that鈥檚 what makes it worth coming to work,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou always hear, 鈥業f you don鈥檛 love your work then there鈥檚 no point in it, but if you do love your work it鈥檚 never work.鈥� That鈥檚 the mantra that I live by, for sure.”
Story by Bob Davidson
