ELMHURST, Ill. — Elmhurst University Athletics has announced the return of Andrea Cannon as its new Director of Athletic Communications, bringing a familiar face back to the Bluejays to lead the department's communications.
Cannon returns to Elmhurst after most recently serving as the Director of Athletic Communications at fellow NCAA Division III institution Loras College. Prior to her time at Loras, Cannon spent two years at Elmhurst as the Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant while earning her Masters of Business Administration. She returns to the Bluejays with expanded leadership experience in Division III athletic communications and a familiarity with the department where her career in the profession began.
"We are extremely excited to bring Andrea back to Elmhurst as our Director of Athletic Communications. Andrea is a star in the profession and is a highly skilled athletic communicator. It is clear she is highly student-athlete focused and that core value was extremely important to us as we went through our search. She has a significant track record of positively and effectively promoting student-athletes and all teams. We are excited for her to elevate the brand of Elmhurst Athletics and welcome her back to Elmhurst," said Director of Athletics Dr. Glen Brittich.
During her first stint with the Bluejays, Cannon worked directly with eight Elmhurst programs, including men's and women's soccer, men's and women's lacrosse, women's basketball, bowling, cross country and track and field. The role provided Cannon with experience across numerous areas of athletic communications while establishing her familiarity with Elmhurst Athletics and the NCAA Division III landscape.
Following her time at Elmhurst, Cannon continued her career at Loras College, where her responsibilities expanded across the Duhawks' 24 varsity sports. That department-wide experience closely aligns with the scope of her new position at Elmhurst, where she will oversee athletic communications efforts for the Bluejays' 21 varsity programs.
"I want to thank President Troy D. VanAken Ph.D. and Director of Athletics Dr. Glen Brittich for entrusting me with this role. Elmhurst has always been a special place to me, and the opportunity to return as the Director of Athletic Communications makes this next chapter even more meaningful. From starting my career here as a graduate assistant to now returning in a leadership role, I'm incredibly excited to be back and look forward to serving the Bluejay community," said Cannon.
Before beginning her career in Division III athletics, Cannon earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, along with minors in Spanish and Public Relations. During her undergraduate career, Cannon worked as a student intern with Fighting Illini Productions, assisting with broadcasts across multiple programs. She also traveled with the Fighting Illini women's gymnastics program, capturing footage and creating highlight content from competitions on the road.
Cannon later earned her Master of Business Administration from Elmhurst University, completing the degree while serving as a graduate assistant within the Bluejays' athletic communications office.
Her combination of journalism, public relations, broadcasting, digital content and NCAA Division III experience brings a well-rounded communications background to Elmhurst. Cannon's return also provides continuity within a department she already knows, now paired with the experience gained from overseeing communications across an entire collegiate athletics program.
Cannon's appointment brings her journey in athletic communications full circle, returning to where her career began, this time tasked with leading the Bluejays' from many points of view and continuing to elevate the Elmhurst Athletics brand, and voice.
