Winona State University is excited to announce the addition of Peter Watkins to the Warrior athletic staff. Watkins will serve as the Director of Athletic Communications, starting on May 13.  Previously, Watkins was the Executive Director of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference, the organizing body for NJCAA Division III schools in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.

"We are excited to have Pete join our staff" says Athletic Director Eric Schoh. "He is a familiar face in Winona and at WSU, and we know that he will do a great job working with and promoting our student athletes and their accomplishments.  I'm also excited to learn from Pete as he brings great experiences as collegiate coach and administrator."

Prior to his work with the MCAC, Watkins served as the men's soccer coach at Saint Mary's (MN) University from 2011-2016, where he also coordinated the physical education curriculum and campus recreation programs. He also served as an instructor in Sport Management within the Saint Mary's (MN) University College of Business. Before his tenure at St. Mary's, Watkins served as the head coach of the Aurora (IL) University men's soccer program from 2002-2011. While at Aurora, Watkins also oversaw the Coaching and Youth Sport Development Major. Before his time at Aurora, Watkins had head women's soccer coaching stints at Ferris State (MI), Northwestern State (LA.), and was an assistant coach at Stephen F. Austin.

Watkins earned his BA in psychology at MacMurray College (Ill.) in 1995 and his master's in Recreational Administration at Aurora in 2006. He is a professional member of NIRSA, the national governing body for campus recreation and intramural activities and CoSIDA, the College Sports Information Directors of America.

"I am honored and humbled to join the Winona State Warrior athletic family" said Watkins. "WSU has a tremendous history and legacy of athletic and academic success.  It is exciting to be a part of telling the next chapters of the Winona State athletic story.  I am also deeply appreciative of the opportunity to serve the Minnesota College Athletic Conference as the first full-time director and am proud to have collaborated with MCAC coaches and administrators in moving the Conference forward."

The Big Rapids, Michigan high school graduate competed in intercollegiate athletics at NJCAA Mesa (AZ) Community College and NCAA member MacMurray (IL) College. While at MacMurray, Watkins earned Academic All-American, Academic All-Midwest and SLIAC All-Conference honors in men's soccer.  Watkins and his wife Laura have three children; Campbell, Mae and Seth and reside in Winona, Minnesota.