Kansas City Athletics Launches its Elevation Council
Kansas City Athletics Announces Elevation Council, Appoints Civic Leader and Champion Terry Dunn Chair
10/12/2026 12:00:00 PM | Cross Country, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Softball, Track and Field, Women's Basketball, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Dance
Part of The Big Leap, the Council will connect Kansas City’s business and community leaders with the Roos to advance engagement, elevation and excellence.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Athletics has announced the creation of the Kansas City Athletics Elevation Council, a new initiative that brings together business and community leaders to help strengthen individual sport programs, enhance the Athletics experience and expand UMKC's reach throughout Kansas City.
Terry Dunn, former CEO of JE Dunn Construction and former chairman of the Greater KC Chamber of Commerce will chair the Council, helping connect the expertise, relationships and resources of Kansas City's leadership community with the priorities and opportunities of Kansas City Athletics.
The Council is part of The Big Leap, Kansas City Athletics' ongoing effort to elevate its programs, deepen community connections and build a stronger foundation for sustained excellence. Its creation provides a focused way for leaders across the city to contribute insight and take action in support of the Roos and UMKC.
"Kansas City has tremendous leaders who care deeply about the future of this community, and Kansas City Athletics offers a meaningful opportunity to put that commitment into action," Dunn said. "I'm honored to chair the Elevation Council and help bring people together around the Roos. By connecting our expertise, relationships and resources with the priorities of Athletics and UMKC, we can build partnerships that benefit student-athletes, strengthen the university and contribute to the vitality of Kansas City."
"The Big Leap is about raising expectations and building the partnerships and resources needed to achieve success," said Dr. Brandon Martin, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. "The Elevation Council will connect leaders across Kansas City with opportunities to make a meaningful impact on our programs and student-athletes. We are grateful to Terry Dunn for agreeing to lead this effort and for sharing our belief in what the Roos can mean to this university and this city."
The Council's work will center on three priorities:
As Kansas City's only NCAA Division I athletics program, the Roos offer a distinctive platform for connecting the university with the city it calls home. The Elevation Council will build on that connection, bringing community insight and action together to advance Kansas City Athletics and UMKC through engagement, elevation and excellence.
For more information on the Elevation Council contact Director of Athletic Development BJ Stabler at b.stabler@umkcfoundation.org.
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ABOUT KANSAS CITY ATHLETICS
Kansas City Athletics represents the University of Missouri-Kansas City at the NCAA Division I level and competes in the Summit League. Home of the Kansas City Roos, the department sponsors 14 varsity sports and more than 250 student-athletes while representing Kansas City and UMKC on the regional and national stage. Through its Big Leap initiative, Kansas City Athletics is focused on elevating competitive excellence, the student-athlete experience, fan engagement and its connection to the Kansas City community.
Terry Dunn, former CEO of JE Dunn Construction and former chairman of the Greater KC Chamber of Commerce will chair the Council, helping connect the expertise, relationships and resources of Kansas City's leadership community with the priorities and opportunities of Kansas City Athletics.
The Council is part of The Big Leap, Kansas City Athletics' ongoing effort to elevate its programs, deepen community connections and build a stronger foundation for sustained excellence. Its creation provides a focused way for leaders across the city to contribute insight and take action in support of the Roos and UMKC.
"Kansas City has tremendous leaders who care deeply about the future of this community, and Kansas City Athletics offers a meaningful opportunity to put that commitment into action," Dunn said. "I'm honored to chair the Elevation Council and help bring people together around the Roos. By connecting our expertise, relationships and resources with the priorities of Athletics and UMKC, we can build partnerships that benefit student-athletes, strengthen the university and contribute to the vitality of Kansas City."
"The Big Leap is about raising expectations and building the partnerships and resources needed to achieve success," said Dr. Brandon Martin, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. "The Elevation Council will connect leaders across Kansas City with opportunities to make a meaningful impact on our programs and student-athletes. We are grateful to Terry Dunn for agreeing to lead this effort and for sharing our belief in what the Roos can mean to this university and this city."
The Council's work will center on three priorities:
- Engagement: Build meaningful connections between Kansas City Athletics and business and community leaders, creating opportunities to understand program needs, share ideas and participate in the Roos' growth.
- Elevation: Mobilize expertise, relationships and resources to strengthen individual sport programs, enhance the experience of student-athletes and fans, and increase the visibility of Kansas City Athletics and UMKC.
- Excellence: Help create the partnerships and support needed for sustained achievement in competition, in the classroom and throughout the community.
As Kansas City's only NCAA Division I athletics program, the Roos offer a distinctive platform for connecting the university with the city it calls home. The Elevation Council will build on that connection, bringing community insight and action together to advance Kansas City Athletics and UMKC through engagement, elevation and excellence.
For more information on the Elevation Council contact Director of Athletic Development BJ Stabler at b.stabler@umkcfoundation.org.
###
ABOUT KANSAS CITY ATHLETICS
Kansas City Athletics represents the University of Missouri-Kansas City at the NCAA Division I level and competes in the Summit League. Home of the Kansas City Roos, the department sponsors 14 varsity sports and more than 250 student-athletes while representing Kansas City and UMKC on the regional and national stage. Through its Big Leap initiative, Kansas City Athletics is focused on elevating competitive excellence, the student-athlete experience, fan engagement and its connection to the Kansas City community.
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