ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Assistant vice president for athletics John Ashaolu announced multiple changes to the Lewis University athletic staff. Alex Cain was hired as the new assistant athletic director for facilities and Tyler Mitchell was promoted to the associate athletic director for development.
 
"We are pleased to welcome Alex Cain as Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations" Ashaolu said. "Alex brings a wealth of experience, from his time in the SEC at the Power 4 level to most recently at the FCS level. His leadership will play a pivotal role in enhancing facilities management, streamlining operations, and elevating the overall effectiveness of our game day experience. We look forward to the valuable perspective he will contribute to our administrative team and strengthening the operational excellence of Lewis University Athletics."
 
A four-year letterwinner and co-captain for the Eastern Illinois baseball team from 2014-17, Cain joins Lewis after working at Illinois State as the director of athletic events and game operations before being promoted to assistant athletic director for game operations in 2024. In both roles, Cain planned, organized, hired and staffed all NCAA intercollegiate athletic events on Illinois State campus. He also handled facility schedules and handled game day logistics. While with Illinois State, Cain also oversaw facilities that hosted numerous IHSA State Championship events including football and girls basketball. He also served as the main facilities point of contact for the Missouri Valley Conference cross country, softball, track & field, women's volleyball and golf championships.
 
Prior to ISU, Cain worked at Mizzou for two years from 2019 through 2021 where he served as the event and facility manager for Taylor Stadium, home of the Tigers baseball team. The stadium seats 3,031 fans and features multiple clubhouses and locker rooms which Cain oversaw. He also was the front of house manager & supervisor for home games featuring the Mizzou men's basketball team and was the on-site SEC liaison and championship director for 2021 SEC Swimming & Diving Championships.
 
Cain also worked as a graduate assistant for the facilities department at Eastern Illinois where he hired, scheduled, trained & supervised student & temp workers while serving as the game day administrator for for 20 NCAA Division I sports. During his time at Eastern Illinois as a graduate assistant, Cain created and managed facility schedules for both athletics and external events and drafted multiple athletic event/game contracts. 
 
"I'm excited to be here and join the Flyer family" Cain said.
 
Additionally, and Tyler Mitchell was promoted to the associate athletic director for development.
 
"I am thrilled to share the promotion of Tyler Mitchell to Associate Athletic Director for Development" Ashaolu said. "In just two years at Lewis University, Tyler has played a pivotal role in growing and expanding our philanthropic efforts, helping lead us to raise seven figures in total gifts to support Flyer Athletics. His passion for the success of Lewis University and our student-athletes is evident in everything he does. I look forward to working alongside him as we continue to strengthen our impact through both fundraising and friend-raising in the years ahead."
 
In his new role, Mitchell will lead all athletic development initiatives in collaboration with University Advancement, including annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, and donor stewardship and lead the department's corporate sponsorship program, securing and fulfilling agreements that drive revenue and exposure. He will also oversee all external operations, including marketing and promotions, strategic communications, media relations, and digital engagement.
 
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to not only to continue to expand individual philanthropy, but to oversee strategic corporate sponsorships and communications" Michell said. "Flyers Athletics is a space that mold and shapes hundreds of students-athletes every year and these new opportunities allow me to share the stories of Lewis and provide them more support."