Football Evening with Millikin University

millikin football
Millikin football evening

 

Are you ready to be inspired? Join Millikin University on April 25 for a motivational evening featuring some of the most successful college coaches in the game, including our featured speaker, Jeff Monken ’89, Head Football Coach of the United States Military Academy at West Point. 

Hear as they share powerful stories and expert insights on building championship mindsets as they discuss their victories both on and off the field. You will also hear from:

  • Derek Shay, Senior Offensive Assistant Run Game Specialist, University of Kentucky.
  • Norm Eash, Retired Head Football Coach, Illinois Wesleyan University, Winningest Coach in CCIW History 

Tickets are $50 and include appetizers and two drink tickets. Cash bar available.

Purchase Tickets

Thank you to our event sponsor, McLeod Express. Additional speaker information to come! 
 

  • Jeff Monken

    Jeff Monken '89
    Head Football Coach, United States Military Academy at West Point
    2020 Alumni Award Inductee: Merit-Loyalty Award

  • A 1989 graduate lettering in Football and Men’s Track & Field, Jeff Monken earned his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education at Millikin and his Master of Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

    Jeff is the Head Football Coach for the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he uses much of what he was taught by former Millikin Football Coach Carl Poelker ’68 in working with his own athletes. Jeff has received many coaching awards, including 2018’s George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year, Vince Lombardi College Football Coach of the Year and the President’s Award. Jeff was the commencement speaker at Millikin’s May 2018 ceremony.

    A wide receiver and co-captain of the Track team while at Millikin, Jeff is also a longtime supporter of many areas at Millikin University, including the Griswold Physical Education Center, Millikin Athletics, the Linda Slagell Student Success Fund and Annual Scholarships.

  • Derek Shay

    Derek Shay
    Senior Offensive Assistant Run Game Specialist, University of Kentucky

  • Derek Shay joined the Football coaching staff at University of Kentucky as a Quality Control Coach for the offense in March of 2024, having formerly served the programs of Marshall University, University of Missouri, Louisiana State University (LSU) and McNeese University. He also served on the staff of one of the country's top prep powerhouses, nationally ranked IMG Academy in Florida. Shay's coaching career began in December 2011 when he signed on to be a Student Assistant for his alma mater, Eastern Illinois University (EIU) — a position he held until he became a Tight Ends Graduate Assistant at Bowling Green State University. He has also coached at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis.

    Shay has been recognized by On3.com as one of "65 Rising Star Support Staff Coaches" and one of "50 Rising Coaches You Need to Know." He has coached All-Conference and All-America athletes, and helped lead teams to record-setting seasons. Shay played collegiately for one season at Western Illinois University before transferring to EIU, graduating in 2013 with a degree in education. He went on to earn a master's degree in liberal arts from LSU in 2021.

    He and his wife, Katie, have one daughter, Murphy.

  • Norm Eash

    Norm Eash
    Retired Head Football Coach, Illinois Wesleyan University, inningest Coach in CCIW History

  • In 38 seasons (1987-2024) as Illinois Wesleyan University Head Football Coach, Eash built the Titans into one of the country's highly-regarded and respected NCAA Division III programs. He retired from coaching following the 2024 season, compiling a career record of 233-133-1 (.636).
     
    Eash has compiled a career record of 233-132-1 (.638) over the course of his time leading the Titan football program. His career win total ranks 42nd all-time across NCAA Division I, II, and III, while he is 13th all-time among the Division III ranks. In 2011, Eash was elected as an "honorary member" of the American Football Coaches Association for his "devotion, dedication and distinguished service to the game of football."