LEXINGTON, Ky. — Nicole Evans knew before most.
From some of her first interactions with Josh Whitman this past winter, through the interview process and ultimately before he walked up for his introductory news conference, the Illinois softball player had an inkling the former Illini football tight end might become her university’s new athletic director.
Evans, who will play in her first NCAA tournament game at 10 a.m. Friday when Illinois meets Utah in the opener of the Lexington (Ky.) Regional, had this special insight serving as the student-athlete representative on the athletic director search committee.
“They were looking for an athlete who has worked with administration a little bit, and I’ve been up to a few Big Ten meetings in Chicago before,” Evans said.