COLUMBIA, Ky. - Lindsey Wilson Athletic Director Willis Pooler has announced several staff changes within the athletic department ahead of the 2026-27 academic year.

The restructuring follows the departure of Chris Wells, who served the University in various roles for the last 25 years and most recently as the Associate Athletic Director from 2021-26 before accepting the position of commissioner of the Mid-South Conference.

Joel Snyder has been promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications. In his new role, Snyder will oversee the college's athletic communications efforts and supervise the sports information department.

"Joel is a talented sports information professional and has earned the opportunity to lead our athletics communications efforts," says Pooler. "He is well respected by our coaches and student-athletes. I am looking forward to working with him in this new role."

Snyder joined the Lindsey Wilson athletic department as a sports information intern during the 2020-21 season. He was hired as Assistant Sports Information Director for the 2022-23 academic year and was promoted to Associate Director in the spring of 2023.

Mike Talley has been promoted to Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations. In addition to his current responsibilities as game operations coordinator, facilities director and head of grounds for The Pines Golf Course,
Talley will oversee several internal operations, including Champions of Character, community service and ticketing.

"Mike is a veteran athletics administrator and someone I rely on to help us run the day-to-day operations of the athletic department," says Pooler.

Talley has served as Director of Athletic Facilities and Event Management since 2011 after spending 19 seasons as the head coach of the Lindsey Wilson baseball program.

Thorne Gray, an assistant coach for the Lindsey Wilson baseball team, will also assume the role of assistant grounds for athletic facilities. Gray will work alongside Talley in maintaining and enhancing the college's athletic facilities.

Alicia Kemnitz will assume oversight of Lindsey Wilson's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), complimenting her current role as Senior Woman Leader, a position she has held since 2021.

"Alicia has proven to be a valuable asset as our Senior Women Leader," says Pooler. "She has experience providing oversight to Student-Athlete Advisory Committees and I look forward to her helping our SAAC to become a more influential body on our campus and in the community."

Kemnitz is the head coach of the men's and women's swimming programs. She also serves as the aquatic's director at the Doris and Bob Holloway Health and Wellness Center while being an adjunct professor for the Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management program.