Aug. 1, 2005

MILWAUKEE - Chris Zills has been hired as an assistant sports information director at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Zills comes to UWM from Marian College in Fond du Lac, where he has spent the last four-and-a-half years as the school's sports information director.

Zills, a Wisconsin native who earned his undergraduate degree from UW-LaCrosse, has also worked for the LaCrosse Bobcats in the Continental Basketball Association and served an internship with the Milwaukee Brewers.

At Marian, Zills was responsible for the promotion and media relations activities for the entire Division III athletic department and its 12 varsity sports. Zills was regularly honored by the College Sports Information Directors Association of America for his various publications.

Zills joins a staff that includes director Kevin O'Connor and assistant director Kevin Conway.

"Chris' experience, background and skills make him an excellent addition to our department," O'Connor said. "UWM continues to get more and more recognition for its success in athletics and Chris will be invaluable in helping to get the word out about all of the great things the Panthers are accomplishing.

UWM sponsors 15 varsity sports and has won the Horizon League's McCafferty Trophy for having the top athletic program in the league three of the last five years. The school's teams won a total of eight Horizon League championships this past season, while the men's basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.