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.
Sean C. Basso, Ph.D.
Associate Director
In 2014, Sean started at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville after being hired as the Assistant Director of Programming, Education, and Evaluation for RecSports. Sean earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration in May 2020. In addition to working as the Associate Director of RecSports, Sean is an affiliated researcher and adjunct professor in the Education and Leadership Policy Studies (ELPS) Department. Sean’s professional foci include ethics, finance & administration, business, & assessment.
Trey Knight
Assistant 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.
Cameron Freeman
Assistant Director
Cameron joined RecSports in the Spring of 2017 as the Facilities Manager which evolved into the role of an Assistant Director in 2021. Cameron directly oversees the facility operations, reservations, fitness program, and informal recreation. He holds a Bachelor’s of Exercise and Sport Science from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX (eat ‘em up!) and a master’s degree in Sport Management from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN (Go Bucs!). Since Campus Recreation was such an impactful aspect of his college years, Cameron enjoys working with RecSports in order to provide spaces and opportunities for students to have those incredible experiences throughout their time at UTK.
Mario Riles
Assistant 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.
AJ Barkalow
Aquatics & Safety Coordinator
AJ joined the RecSports team in the spring of 2024 as the Aquatics & Safety Coordinator. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2017. He enjoys supporting student life through aquatics programming and benefiting the health and wellness of UT students, faculty, staff, and the Knoxville community.
Hayden Fukushima
Aquatics Graduate Assistant
Hayden joined RecSports in Fall 2023 as a Sports Club Manager before transitioning to the Aquatics Graduate Assistant in January 2024. He graduated from Berry College, where he also ran cross country and track, in May 2023 with bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Currently, he is pursuing his master’s degree in Sports Management. He enjoys working with RecSports because of the ability to promote an active lifestyle to both students and the community.
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.
Emma Herbert
Fitness Graduate Assistant
Emma began working at UTK RecSports in July of 2022 as the Graduate Assistant of Fitness. She graduated from Auburn University in May of 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and is now pursuing her Master of Science in Communication and Information with a concentration in Public Relations. She enjoys working with RecSports because of the ability to help students develop a leadership role towards future endeavors, regardless if they continue working in the world of fitness.
Vacant
Informal Recreation Coordinator
Alden Morrell
Informal Graduate Assistant
Alden joined RecSports in Summer 2023 as the Informal Recreation Graduate Assistant. He is an alum of the University of Tennessee, holding a bachelor’s degree in sports management. Currently, he is pursuing his master’s degree in management and human resources. He enjoys working in campus recreation because of the fun atmosphere and the opportunity to meet lots of cool people.
Carlos Diaz
Intramural Coordinator
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.
Brenn Simmons
Intramural Graduate Assistant
Brenn joined RecSports as an undergraduate in 2019 as a student official with the Intramural program. After he graduated in May 2022, he made the transition into being the incoming Intramural Graduate Assistant. Brenn graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in recreation and sport management and is currently working towards his master’s degree in the same field. He loves the intramural program, being able to interact with such a large amount of the campus population and, making a positive impact on student experiences.
Eric Harrell
Membership and Outreach Coordinator
Eric joined RecSports in Fall 2020 as a Program Resource Specialist. This past January, he transitioned into a coordinator role as the inaugural Membership & Outreach Coordinator. 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.
Cecelia Tatro
Student Staff Development & Promotions Graduate Assistant
Cecelia joined the RecSports team in the summer of 2022 as the Graduate Assistant for Student Staff Development and Promotions. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina – Columbia and is currently working towards a master’s degree in the College Student Personnel program. She enjoys supporting the holistic wellness of UT students and investing in the on-campus, student employment experience.
Josh Elder
Outdoor Pursuits Coordinator
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.
Gavin Woodward
Outdoor Graduate Assistant
Gavin joined RecSports in Fall of 2022 as a Graduate Assistant for UT Outdoor Pursuits. He has a bachelor’s degree in outdoor recreation and sport management from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. Gavin enjoys all outdoor sports, especially rock climbing and loves sharing his passion with others by introducing them to outdoor recreation.
Jaylen Hargrove
Outdoor Graduate Assistant
Jaylen joined RecSports Summer of 2023 as a Graduate Assistant for UT Outdoor Pursuits. He has a bachelor’s degree in Outdoor and Environmental Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University. Jaylen loves to explore all outdoor activities, but especially loves white water kayaking/rafting as well as cycling. His favorite part about recsports is having the chance to introduce and help others enjoy the outdoors.
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.
Alexa Schnittka
Sport Clubs Graduate Assistant
Alexa joined RecSports in the Summer of 2023 as the Sport Clubs Graduate Assistant. She received her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and psychology at the University of Wisconsin. Alexa is admitted to the master’s program of sports management and will graduate in May of 2024. She loves working with the 40 different sport clubs and seeing the variety of activities offered on campus.
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.
Julie Shelby-Davis
Administrative Specialist
Julie started her position as Administrative Specialist here at RecSports late summer of 2021. She is a North Carolina native who attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC where she obtained her bachelor’s in child development and a minor in psychology. She enjoys working here at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus and has become a Vol for Life!
Brooke Conger
Administrative Specialist
Brooke started her position as Administrative Specialist in February 2023. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in hospitality management. Brooke enjoys being back on campus and interacting with students and staff. She is a Vol for Life! Go Vols!
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.
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.
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.