Roger Denny was named Chief Operating Officer and Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics in July, 2021.

Education:

Denny earned a bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University, a law degree from St. Louis University, and an LLM degree in tax law from Washington University in St. Louis.

Job Responsibilities:

Denny is the sport administrator and provides oversight for the Fighting Illini football program. Additionally, in his role as Chief Operating Officer, he supervises the department’s internal operations, including the business office, facilities and capital projects, human resources, data and business intelligence, and sports technology units. Denny also oversees DIA’s revenue operations roles, including corporate sponsorships and licensing, oversight of DIA’s public facilities (State Farm Center, Atkins Tennis Center, Atkins Golf Club, Orange and Blue Golf Courses, and the Armory), housing, parking, and athletics camps and clinics.

Past Experience:

Denny, an attorney with nearly 15 years of legal experience, came to Illinois from the St. Louis office of national law firm Spencer Fane LLP, where he had been a partner since 2015. Throughout his legal career, Denny advised clients on a variety of topics in transactional matters, including executive compensation and taxation, private equity and corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and real estate development; all with a particular industry focus on sports businesses.

Personal:

Roger is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. He and his wife, Alecia, reside in Champaign along with their twins, Trey and Michael.

Last updated February 2024.