Madison Rayam Named Illinois Director of Recruiting & Transition Coordinator
August 25, 2026 | Football
News
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Madison Rayam was named the Illinois football program's Director of Recruiting & Transition Coordinator, head coach Bret Bielema announced. Rayam previously served as an Associate Director of Academic Services and worked directly with the Illini football team from 2023-25.
"Madison has been a great asset for our student-athletes and football program over the last three years as a member of our academic staff," said Bielema. "Her knowledge and familiarity with our football program and University will continue to be a valuable resource for our Illini FamILLy as she moves over to our personnel staff. We are excited to welcome Madison to her new role."
"I'm incredibly grateful to Coach Bielema and Pat Embleton for the opportunity to continue supporting Illinois Football," said Rayam. "I feel blessed to continue alongside so many people who have invested in me and made this place so special. I'm excited for this new chapter and look forward to building with and representing the Illini."
During her first three seasons in Champaign, Rayam assisted student-athletes in balancing the academic, athletic, and social responsibilities associated with Division I athletics in the Big Ten Conference. In addition, her role focused on evaluating continuing eligibility, tracking academic progress, and assisting in recruiting student-athletes.
Prior to Illinois, Rayam served as an Academic Counselor at Bower Academic Center at the University of Southern Mississippi and as an Academic Support Assistant at Bill Battle Academic Center at The University of Alabama.
Rayam was born in Edmonton, Alberta and raised in Alabaster, Alabama. She attended Jacksonville University where she was a volleyball student-athlete.
Rayam earned her undergraduate degree in sport management from Jacksonville University in 2021. She earned her master's degree in business management with an emphasis in entrepreneurship from The University of Alabama in 2022.
