Throughout the fall semester, daemenwildcats.com will feature profiles on the "residents of #DCWildcatNation" to introduce you to the coaches, administrators and athletic trainers at Daemen College. These dedicated professionals work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure Daemen's place as Western New York's Premier Division II Team. Today's featured staff member is Alexis Wayne, director of operations and communications.

---

QUICK BIO
A graduate of Niagara University and a native of Cheektowaga, N.Y., Alexis Wayne was appointed in January 2020 to the director of operations and communications position at Daemen. In this role, Wayne is primarily responsible for the scheduling of facilities to accommodate all varsity team practices, home athletic competitions, and outside group rentals. Her duties also include the hiring, training, scheduling and supervising of all graduate assistants and student workers for athletic events, as well as providing assistance within the Office of Athletic Communications.

Wayne came to Daemen from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. She originally joined the MAAC as an administrative fellow in 2015 and was named the conference's director of women's basketball operations in 2017. She earned her second promotion to associate commissioner for women's basketball and Olympic sports in 2019. 

Wayne began her career in intercollegiate athletics at her alma mater, working as the graduate assistant for ticketing and marketing at Niagara. As an undergraduate, she was a four-year member of the NU softball team and served as a team captain her junior and senior year. A three-time MAAC all-academic selection, she graduated magna cum laude with her bachelor's degree in Sport Management in 2013. She went on to earn her master's degree in Sport Management from NU in 2015.

---

QUESTION & ANSWER
Q: Where did you grow up? Did you stay in one place or move around a lot?
A: I was born and raised in Cheektowaga and attended Depew High School. We stayed in one place right here in Western New York. 
 
Q: What is your fondest childhood memory?
A: It has to be traveling to and from sporting events with my family, especially with my dad. We spent a lot of time together going from field to field. 
 

 



























Q: Who was your childhood idol and why?
A: Mia Hamm. I was always super into sports and loved watching her excel both on and off the field.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies and interests?
A: I like to exercise and go hiking. Also, I enjoy trying new restaurants with my family and friends.
 

Q: Where did you meet your fiancé? Do you have any children?
A: Tim and I met while we were both working at Niagara University. We were supposed to be married in September, but we had to postpone our ceremony because of COVID. We don't have kids yet, but hopefully we will sometime in the future. 
 

 
























Q: What is your favorite season and why?
A: Summer! I really enjoy the warmer temperatures, being outside and all the activities you can do that aren't so easy when it's cold out.  
 

Q: What was your first job growing up?
A: I worked at Burger King when I was 16. My friend's dad got us all a job. We had a blast working together!

Q: When did you know you wanted to go into a career in collegiate athletics?
A: Upon completing my undergraduate degree in sport management from Niagara, I knew I wanted to stay involved in the collegiate athletics world.
 

Q: Who are the people you consider to be your greatest mentors?
A: Definitely my parents and there's one of my undergrad professors who I still keep in touch with pretty regularly. They've helped shape my beliefs and molded me into who I am today. 
 
Q: What is the best advice you ever received and who did it come from?
A: My dad would always tell me, "Your next at-bat is your most important at-bat." This translated well from athletics to the real world. Always keep moving forward!

Q: If you didn't work in collegiate athletics, what job do you think you'd have?
A: I think I would probably be a high school teacher or administrator. Something in the education field, for sure. 

Q: Besides Daemen, what are the teams or who are the athletes you root for most?
A: It has to be the Buffalo Bills! I also really enjoy UConn women's basketball. And for an individual athlete, how about Serena Williams? She's amazing. 

Q: Where did you go on your most memorable vacation? What made it memorable?
A: Tim and I took a trip to San Diego in June 2019. It's where we got engaged so I'd say that was pretty memorable!
 
Q: What is one place you haven't visited, but definitely plan to someday?
A: Italy! 

Q: If you could have dinner with any three people, living or deceased, who would they be and why?
A: I love history, so first I would say George Washington. My favorite actress is Sandra Bullock so I'd pick her. And probably Thomas Rhett because he's my favorite country music artist. 

 Q: What is your biggest fear?
A: Definitely heights. 

Q: If you were singing karaoke, what would be your go-to song?
A: My go-to karaoke song would have to be A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton. 

Q: Is there anything you would like to do or accomplish in your life that you haven't done yet?
A: Becoming a mother. 

Q: If you were ever on Jeopardy, what is the interesting fact or experience about yourself that you'd choose to discuss with Alex Trebek?
A: I guess I would tell him that I was the Western New York Player of the Year for softball in 2009. 

---

Daemen College features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.