After previous assistant athletic director, Shane Drahota, got a new job at Minnesota State University-Mankato, WSC needed a hard worker with past experience to fill the hole. As of March 1, Linda Anderson has been that person.

 
Anderson, a native of Wayne, returns with the official title of assistant athletic director for internal affairs. Her main tasks include serving as the school’s compliance officer, overseeing the student-athletic advisory committee (SAAC) and also game management responsibilities.

 
As a compliance officer, Anderson’s job is one of the most important in the athletic department. A compliance officer is there to make sure that student-athletes and coaches are following all the NCAA regulations; the manual has over 400 pages.

 
Overseeing SAAC is also no easy task. According to the NCAA, a student-athlete advisory committee is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on NCAA member institution campuses.

 
Although this is a difficult job, Anderson has plenty of experience as an athletic director—more than 25 years.

 
Most recently, she served as the associate athletic director for compliance and senior women’s administrator at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., from 2007 to February, 2016. Prior to that, she was director of athletics for three years at Maryville University in St. Louis. Anderson also worked for nearly 20 years (1985-2004) as associated director of athletics and senior women’s administrator at NCAA Division III St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota.

 
Anderson received her bachelor’s degree at Chadron State College in K-12 physical education and health and also earned her masters of education at Bemidji State University.

 
“[My favorite part about working with college students is] college students are passionate and confident,” Anderson said. “I also enjoy the opportunity to be a mentor.”

 
“My door is always open,” Anderson said. “I like to advise on an issue before it becomes a problem.”

 
Outside of work, Anderson enjoys camping, reading or “anything outdoors.” She also can juggle, make animal balloons and loves going to the county fair, stating it as her favorite part of Wayne.
“It feels good to be back home,” Anderson said.