Emporia State to honor athletics leader Natasha Oakes as Distinguished Alumna

Emporia, KS (10/09/2026) — Natasha Oakes, a leader in college athletics whose career began to take shape at Emporia State University, will receive a 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award at the Black & Gold Gala on Oct. 23. The award is Emporia State's highest honor for alumni.

Reservations are required for the Black & Gold Gala by Wednesday, Oct. 14. Tickets cost $100 for the elegant evening that features a reception and dinner in support of Emporia State. Information and registration is at emporia.edu/homecoming.

Oakes (BSB '04, Business Administration) is deputy athletic director, chief administrative officer and senior woman administrator at West Virginia University. She helps lead an NCAA Division I athletics department in the Big 12 Conference, with responsibilities spanning compliance, human resources, Title IX governance and sport administration.

A Topeka native and the first person in her family to graduate from college, Oakes came to ESU for its business program and the opportunity to compete in track and field. She ran relays and competed in the long jump and high jump. As a senior, she was part of an MIAA championship 4x100-meter relay team.

Her interests extended beyond competition. Conversations with coaches and administrators helped her see a future working in college athletics, and an internship with the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association gave her experience in conference operations.

"Oftentimes, some of my teammates and I would hang out in Carmen's office and eat candy and pick her brain about life and whatnot," Oakes said of former ESU athletics administrator Carmen Leeds. "Carmen really helped me figure out my path as far as working in college athletics. I knew I wanted to stay tied to athletics, but I just didn't know how to get there."

After graduation, Oakes joined the MIAA as assistant commissioner for compliance and internal operations. She later worked for the NCAA and held leadership positions at Missouri Western State University and the University of North Texas before joining West Virginia in 2022. She was promoted to deputy athletics director in 2023.

Her rise has also made her an example for young women considering careers in athletics administration.

"One of the reasons I wanted to get involved in college athletics is because I wanted to give back to a space that gave me so much and be an example to our young women, particularly those who look like me," Oakes said. "I want them to know there are tons of possibilities out there."

Oakes credits Emporia State with helping her find that path. "It was the starting point of launching me into my career in college athletics," she said.