Kansas State Wildcats' Gene Taylor named NACDA first vice president

Kansas State Wildcats associate athletic director Gene Taylor has been elected first vice president of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

What happened?

Gene Taylor, the senior associate athletic director at Kansas State Wildcats, now holds the NACDA’s second-highest post after the organization’s annual convention in Orlando. The NACDA governs more than 1,200 member schools and shapes policy for college sports directors nationwide.

Taylor’s new role begins immediately and runs through 2027. He’ll help steer NACDA’s agenda alongside president Mark Harlan, the University of Utah athletic director.

Why it matters for Kansas State Wildcats

The appointment puts a Kansas State Wildcats leader at the table for major decisions on budgets, governance, and student-athlete welfare. Taylor’s election also spotlights Manhattan’s growing influence in college sports administration.

He joined Kansas State Wildcats in 2019 after stops at Eastern Michigan and Toledo. His portfolio includes facilities, event management, and compliance.

What comes next?

Taylor will preside over NACDA’s executive committee and prepare for the 2027 presidential succession. Kansas State Wildcats athletic director Gene Murphy praised the hire as a win for the Big 12.

The next Kansas State Wildcats football game tips off September 5 against the Nicholls Colonels in Manhattan. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. local time.