Paul Whittaker

Assistant Director of Sports Performance and Athletic Development Specialist Paul Whittaker works primarily with baseball, basketball, and track athletes at BAI. A native of Galatia, Illinois, Paul has served as a physical education teacher and baseball coach at multiple levels within the Carbondale school district for the past four years. Prior to his work in Carbondale, Paul began his college career at Central Methodist College in Missouri, where he was an all-conference performer on both the track and baseball teams and was also a member of the football team. Looking to return closer to home and compete at the Division I level, Paul then transferred to SIU, where he went on to garner all-conference honors and was named an Academic All-American as a high jumper on the track team. Whittaker currently teaches physical education at both Thomas School and Lewis School in Carbondale and coaches at both Carbondale Middle School and High School. When not coaching, Paul enjoys bowling, playing cards, and playing competitive baseball each summer, where he plays virtually every position on the field. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his friends, family, and his girlfriend Jessica.