Emily McKibben has joined the staff of the Drake Relays presented by Xtream powered by Mediacom as an assistant director overseeing meet operations.
 
McKibben, a Des Moines metro native, returns to the Capital City after serving as an events coordinator at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where she worked exclusively with IMG's track & field, soccer and team training operations.
 
"I'm excited to welcome Emily back home to Iowa and the Drake Relays," said Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays. "Throughout the hiring process, Emily's passion for the sport of track and field and the Drake Relays was overwhelming. Her experiences at IMG Academy and with the Phoenix Suns set her apart as the person to further build upon the Drake Relays' legacy as 'America's Athletic Classic."
 
At IMG Academy, McKibben developed and executed strategic operation plans to direct and manage every facet of IMG Academy's events ranging from budgeting, sponsorship, promotions, staff recruitment, staff training and management.
 
"I am thrilled to return to Des Moines and look forward to building upon the history and tradition of the Drake Relays," McKibben said. "Growing up in Des Moines, I know firsthand the passion this community has for the Relays what a tremendous point of pride it is for Drake University, Des Moines, our state and the sport of track & field."
 
In addition to being from Des Moines, the Waukee High School graduate began her career in athletic administration as an intern on the Drake Relays staff with an emphasis on planning, logistics, operations and execution during the 2016-17 Drake Relays cycle.
 
Immediately following her graduation from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz., McKibben joined the Phoenix Suns' global partnership solutions team. There she assisted with hospitality for marketing partners, in-game promotions and ensured the fulfillment of all marketing partnership agreements.