Courtesy of Wayne State University Athletic Communications
DETROIT -- Wayne State University Director of Athletics Rob Fournier has announced the addition of Erika (Ryskamp) Wallace as the Athletics Chief of Staff. She will serve on the senior athletic management team advising the Athletic Director on all departmental matters and will work closely with the AD to plan, develop, coordinate and oversee the University's eighteen (18) athletic programs and support personnel. She will begin her position at WSU on August 5th.
"Erika is the perfect fit for this encompassing job, and has demonstrated the skills for this critical role," stated Fournier. "She has been successful as a student-athlete, administrator and senior woman administrator and her work habits, enthusiasm and engaging style will complement the many opportunities in the department including: the building of a new 25 million dollar basketball facility, our corporate and individual development initiatives, sport oversight and an emphasis on student-athlete welfare issues and academic achievement. Erika's leadership will greatly advance our department."
"I am extremely excited to take on this new role within the Athletic Department at Wayne State University," said Wallace. "I would like to thank Rob Fournier for giving me this terrific opportunity and I look forward to getting on campus soon and to begin working closely with the coaches, administrators and the student athletes."
Wallace comes to Detroit after nearly 11 years at Grand Valley State, where she most recently served as the Associate Athletic Director & Senior Woman Administrator since 2016. Her professional career began at GVSU where she spent time working in admissions and financial aid before serving as the Assistant Director of Financial Aid in 2011. Wallace was promoted to the Associate Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships in 2012, a position she held until 2016 when she moved to her role within the GVSU athletics department.
During her time in the GVSU Athletic Department, Wallace had a wide range of duties, including supervision of coaches in regards to budget, recruiting, traveling and scheduling. In addition, she was responsible for NCAA compliance, fundraising and represented GVSU on the GLIAC Management Council, NCAA committees, the Intercollegiate Athletic Advisory board and the Irwin Club Advisory Committee.
Wallace, who has two degrees from GVSU, a Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Physiology in 2007 and a Masters of Public Administration in 2014, is a member of the National Association for Athletic Compliance (NAAC), Women Leaders in College Sports, Michigan Student Financial Aid Association (MSFAA), National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) and the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA).
She was a four-year letterwinner (2003-07) for the GVSU women's basketball program and was inducted into Lakers Hall of Fame in 2015. Wallace was a team captain when GVSU won a national title in 2005-06. She scored 1,409 points, which placed her in the top-five in program history when she graduated. Wallace's 223 three-pointers rank second all-time and her 39.3 three-point field goal percentage is the third best in school history.
Wallace and her husband Marcus, also a former GVSU basketball letterwinner, have two children, Sydney and Marley.
