After more than 25 years in leadership roles in the athletics program at Elmhurst College, Paul Krohn will bring his commitment to the program to a new arena, leading efforts to raise money for improvements to the College’s athletic and recreational programs and facilities.

Elmhurst College President Troy D. VanAken announced on Tuesday, Jan. 8, that Krohn has accepted a new position in the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Krohn has been a part of the Bluejays’ athletics program for the past 26 years, serving as the College’s head football coach for 11 seasons before taking over the role of director of athletics in 2004. He will transition to his new role on July 1.

“Paul Krohn has had a long and distinguished career in athletics,” President VanAken said. “His service and dedication have propelled our athletic program into the national spotlight, and I am pleased that he has accepted my invitation to join the Institutional Advancement staff, where he will bring the College even greater success.”

Krohn joined Elmhurst in 1993 as the Bluejays’ head football coach and was named the CCIW’s Co-Coach of the Year in 2003. During his tenure as director of athletics, the Bluejays expanded from 16 to 20 varsity sports with the additions of men’s soccer, women’s bowling, and men’s and women’s lacrosse. The number of student-athletes at Elmhurst has risen to more than 450. In addition to athletic success, Elmhurst teams have been stars in the classroom, taking home 24 individual Academic All-American awards since the 2003-04 season.

“Elmhurst athletics has been a large part of my life for the past 26 years and it will continue to be so in my new position,” Krohn said. “I’ve enjoyed watching the successes of our student-athletes on the court and in the classroom, and also their professional successes after they graduate. I’m looking forward to impacting current and future Bluejays in my new role at the College.”

A national search for a new director of athletics will begin soon.