Romeoville, Ill. – Lewis University Assistant Vice President for Athletics
John Ashaolu was named to the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Committee. Ashaolu will begin his term on September 1, 2026, and continue through August 31, 2030.
"It is an honor to be appointed to the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Committee," Ashaolu said. "I look forward to working alongside outstanding colleagues from across the country to help provide a first-class championship experience for our student-athletes. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent Lewis University and the GLVC in this national leadership role."
The committee is responsible for sport-specific governance and championship administration, with authority over playing rules, playing and practice seasons, recruiting and the administration of the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship, including bracket selection and seeding.
This is not the first time Ashaolu has served on a national committee or advisory board as he serves on the board of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), and is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD). He currently serves on the advisory board of Business of Small College Athletics (BOSCA) and has participated in the Collegiate Athletics Leadership Symposium (CALS). He also serves on the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Regional Advisory Committee for the Midwest Region.
Ashaolu's appointment reflects his dedication to the sport of women's basketball and Lewis as well. With Ashaolu at the helm of the department, the women's basketball program captured the 2024-25 GLVC Women's Basketball Regular Season Championship and put up an impressive 26-4 overall mark, highlighted by a nearly unblemished 19-1 conference record, en route to qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. Since 2024, two Lewis players have gone on to win major honors from the GLVC with Taylor Gugliuzza named the GLVC Player of the Year (2024-25) and
Ally Cesarini (La Grange, Ill./Lyons Township) tabbed the first GLVC Defensive Player of the Year in Lewis history (2025-26). Ashaolu also oversaw the appointment of
Dodie Dunson Jr. as head coach of the women's basketball program. In his first season in Romeoville, Dunson won 18 games and finished above .500, becoming the fifth consecutive women's basketball coach at Lewis to win 15-or-more games and finish above .500 in their first season.
Ashaolu's appointment continues to put Lewis on a national stage and reflects the department's commitment to leadership, service and the advancement of the college athletics industry.
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