Our Team

Katy Locke

Director
Katy joined RecSports in 2003 as the Aquatic Center Manager. Over the next several years she held several roles to include Assistant Director, Associate Director, and now the Director. Katy has a bachelor’s degree (recreation) and a master’s degree (health, physical education, and recreation) from Middle Tennessee State University. She enjoys being a part of the Division of Student Life Health & Wellbeing team working towards a health promoting campus community.
klocke2@utk.edu

Trey Knight

Associate Director
Trey rejoined the RecSports team in 2024 as an Assistant Director overseeing Outdoor Pursuits and Aquatics. He worked with RecSports previously managing Outdoor Pursuits from 2015-2020. Trey has an undergraduate degree from Mercer University in Mathematics minoring in Physics and Engineering. He received his Master’s in Sport Administration from Georgia State University. Trey enjoys working with RecSports to help students find ways to feel valued and to be able to add value to their campus community.
treyk@utk.edu

Mario Riles

Associate Director
Mario joined RecSports in Fall 2008 as the Intramural Sports Coordinator. In Fall 2021, he transitioned into an assistant director role that provides supervision for the Intramural Sports Program, Sport Clubs Program, and the Sutherland Avenue RecSports Field Complex. Mario holds both a bachelor’s degree (accounting) and a master’s degree (recreation management with concentration in sports management) from the University of Arkansas. He enjoys providing entertaining recreational opportunities and activities for the UT campus community.
mriles@utk.edu

Josh Elder

Assistant Director
Hailing from the Appalachian Mountains of Central Virginia, Josh has earned an associate of Business from Central Virginia Community College, bachelor’s in marketing from Virginia Commonwealth University, and Masters in Recreation and Sport Management from good ole Rocky Top on his journey to becoming Coordinator of Outdoor Pursuits. Joining as a graduate assistant in 2018, and transitioning to a coordinator 2020, he’s stuck around Knoxville for the access to world class recreational opportunities right in our own backyard, and the ability to share those places with the students and staff of the University of Tennessee.
jelder5@vols.utk.edu

Hayden Fukushima

Aquatics and Safety Coordinator
Hayden joined RecSports in Fall 2023 as a Sports Club Manager before transitioning to the Aquatics Graduate Assistant in January 2024 and to Informal Recreation Coordinator in June 2025. He graduated from Berry College, where he also ran cross country and track, in May 2023 with bachelor’s degree in business management. Hayden recently received his master’s degree in Sports Management from the University of Tennessee. He enjoys working with RecSports because of the ability to promote an active lifestyle to both students and the community.
hfukush2@vols.utk.edu

Elliot Mclaughlin

Outdoor Pursuits Coordinator
Elliot joined UTK RecSports in the summer of 2025 as the Coordinator of Outdoor Pursuits, where he oversees the Outdoor Center and VolWall. As a North Carolina native, Elliot earned both his bachelor’s in Geography and his Master’s in Applied Geography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. During his time at UNCG, he discovered his passion for outdoor recreation and the transformative impact of fun, challenge, and adventure. Elliot enjoys working at RecSports and UTK because it allows him to help others grow through outdoor experiences, build community, and develop confidence in a supportive and adventurous environment.
emclau14@utk.edu

Lucy Bolin

Outdoor Graduate Assistant
Lucy started working as a GA for UT Outdoor Pursuits in Summer 2023. She comes to Knoxville from Richmond, Virginia where she earned a bachelor’s degree in urban planning from Virginia Commonwealth University. At UT, she is working toward a master’s degree in public policy. Lucy is an adventure enthusiast who has a passion for helping others develop technical skills and self confidence in the outdoors. When she’s not in the office, you can find her playing on the river or flipping over rocks in the woods.
lbolin1@vols.utk.edu

Lauren Lepchenske

Fitness Coordinator
Lauren joined the RecSports team in February of 2022 as the Fitness Coordinator. Lauren has been in the fitness, health and wellness space for over 10 years but has found her way back to campus recreation and working with students. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s in exercise science from Eastern Illinois University (Go Panthers!) Lauren enjoys helping students find fun and sustainable ways to incorporate movement into their daily routines.
llepchen@utk.edu

Kendal House

Fitness Graduate Assistant
Kendal joined RecSports as the Fitness Graduate Assistant in Summer 2024. She got her Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in Exercise & Wellness with a minor in Gerontology. Kendal will be getting her Master’s degree in Sport Psychology & Motor Behavior Specialization at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She is enthusiastic and highly passionate about helping those within the UTK community achieve their health-related goals and build friendships through exercise.
khouse7@vols.utk.edu

Joey Gremore

Assistant Director
Joey joined the RecSports team in Fall of 2025. He has a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Indiana State University and a master’s degree in Sports Management from East Tennessee State University. He enjoys working with RecSports to provide students positive recreational experiences and opportunities.
jgremore@utk.edu

Vacant

Coordinator

Vacant

Coordinator

Carlos Diaz

Assistant Director
Carlos joined RecSports in January 2022, and serves as the Intramural Sports Coordinator. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminal justice from Mercer University in 2015. He also received his master’s degree in sports management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2017. Carlos enjoys working with students, giving them opportunities for personal and professional growth through the various offerings the Intramural Sports program provides.
cdiaz@utk.edu

Michael Corder

Sport Clubs Coordinator
Michael started working at RecSports in August of 2018. He was hired on as the Sport Club Coordinator. Michael received his bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University in Leisure, Sports, and Tourism Studies with a focus in Sport Studies. He received his master’s degree from Texas State University in Recreation Management. As a kid growing up in Middle Tennessee, the University of Tennessee has always been Michael’s dream school which is why he enjoys working here.
mcorder@utk.edu

Dianna Choque

Intramural Graduate Assistant
Dianna joined RecSports in Summer 2024 as the Intramural Sports Graduate Assistant. She holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Central Florida. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. She loves working in campus recreation because of the lively environment and the opportunities to get to meet new people.
dchoque@vols.utk.edu

Ellsie Hamilton

Sport Clubs Graduate Assistant
Ellsie joined UTK RecSports as a Sport Clubs Graduate Assistant in 2024. She previously received her bachelor’s in psychology from Grand Canyon University. Ellsie enjoys working with Sport Clubs because it allows her to contribute to a program that creates an environment where students can enhance their overall wellness while thriving in a competitive setting.
esaldiva@vols.utk.edu

Eric Harrell

Assistant Director
Eric joined RecSports in Fall 2020 as a Program Resource Specialist. In 2023, he transitioned into a coordinator role as the inaugural Membership & Outreach Coordinator, and in 2025, he assumed the role of assistant director. Eric holds both a bachelor’s degree (sport management) and master’s degree (higher education administration) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He enjoys programming and promoting health and well-being initiatives within the UT campus community.
eharrel6@utk.edu

Jamaal Hundley

Membership & Outreach Coordinator
Jamaal joined RecSports in 2024 as the Informal Recreation Coordinator. Jamaal earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, with a focus on Marketing Management, from East Tennessee State University. Jamaal loves working in RecSports because, as a college student, he experienced firsthand how valuable recreation is in fostering a sense of family and providing an uplifting outlet for connection. It’s inspiring to help students at the university, from all walks of life, experience the same sense of belonging and community that he once enjoyed.
jhundle7@utk.edu

Kira Suttles

Student Staff Experience Coordinator
Kira joined RecSports in Spring 2025 as the Student Staff Experience Coordinator, overseeing training, leadership, and appreciation initiatives for student employees. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and leadership from Pfeiffer University and a master’s degree in higher education and student affairs from the University of South Carolina. Kira is passionate about helping students grow as leaders and individuals, and she loves building a strong, supportive community where everyone feels welcome. She looks forward to connecting with students, learning their stories, and helping them make the most of their RecSports experience.
ksuttles@utk.edu

Ami McCarter

Senior Budget Assistant
Ami joined UT in September 2002, and came to RecSports in November 2011 as a Program Resource Specialist. She received her A.A.S. in Business-Accounting from Pellissippi State in Fall of 2019 and transitioned to the Senior Budget Assistant position in February 2020. She enjoys finding ways to maximize the use of funding to ensure quality programming to enhance participant experiences at RecSports.
amccart5@utk.edu

Stephanie Josey

Administrative Specialist

Jenny Lackey

Administrative Specialist
Jenny joined RecSports in November 2025. Jenny is a seasoned professional with ten years of service to the University, beginning in 2012. While her tenure included a few years spent traveling, she has seamlessly transitioned into her new role. She looks forward to connecting with staff members and contributing to the department’s lively environment.
jlackey4@utk.edu

Alex Schneider

Facilities General Maintenance Supervisor
Alex joined RecSports in Spring of 2017 as the Maintenance Specialist for The Field Complex at Sutherland. In March of 2021, he was promoted to Senior Maintenance Specialist and in September of 2023, he received another promotion to his current role of Facilities General Maintenance Supervisor. Alex holds an associate degree in turfgrass science and management from Penn State University. He enjoys getting to interact with students and provide them with spaces to focus on their well-being outside of the classroom.
lschnei3@utk.edu

Mike Lutz

Maintenance Specialist (RecSports Field Complex)
Mike joined the RecSports team during the Summer of 2020 in a Grounds and Maintenance Specialist position. Mike graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Athletic training and a Master’s of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He enjoys working outside while providing upkeep on athletic fields as well as working in a team environment with his staff and students.

mplutz@utk.edu

Jon Bacon

Fitness Equipment Technician
Jon joined RecSports in the fall of 2023 as our Fitness Equipment Technician. He attended the Golf Academy of America where he earned an Associate of Applied Business: Golf Complex Operations and Management. When he’s not golfing, he’s spending his days with his wife and 3 children participating in any outdoor activity. He loves working at RecSports because he’s been passionate about UT sports throughout his life and the energy on campus is electric. He’s fortunate to be a part of such a talented and extraordinary group of student advocates.
jbacon10@utk.edu