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Wayne State University Athletics

Laurel Whalen head shot 2024

Dr. Laurel Whalen

  • Title
    Faculty Athletics Representative
UPDATED September 12, 2025

Dr. Laurel Whalen was appointed Faculty Athletics Representative for Wayne State University in November of 2024.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Whalen as our new Faculty Athletic Representative," commented WSU Director of Athletics Erika Wallace.  "She’s already been a guiding presence for many of our student-athletes as a professor and I am excited to see her bring that same dedication and insight back to our department in this new role, deepening her commitment to our student-athletes and strengthening the support we provide.”

"I'm honored to be serving the university in this important role and look forward to working with athletics and administration to foster an environment for student-athletes that ensures that their academic and athletic pursuits are not only balanced but also mutually reinforcing," remarked Whalen.

Whalen was a collegiate student-athlete playing four years of basketball at Albion College before earning her bachelor's degree in English and Speech Communication in 2001.  She received her master's degree from WSU in Sports Administration in 2005, followed by a Ph.D. in Kinesiology in 2019.  While at Albion, Whalen was selected to participate in the NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference.

Whalen is currently an associate professor of Teaching and the program director for the Sport Management and Administration programs, while also serving as the program manager for the Building Healthy Communities program.  Prior to joining the WSU College of Education and the Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sports Studies, she worked for the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) as an associate director of programs and development officer for three years.  Whalen remained at Albion for five years after earning her bachelor's degree as the assistant director of admissions.  She also spent two seasons as an assistant women's basketball coach.

Whalen currently serves on the advisory board for the PAL and The Konnection mentoring program along with coaching two youth basketball teams.

Laurel and her husband, Jason, have four children, Colin, Ellison, Jocelyn and Gillian.