Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Milwaukee Recreation is pleased to introduce Bobby N. Kelsey as the department's new Commissioner of Athletics! Kelsey is picking up the mantle for Bill Molbeck, who is retiring after 17 years in the Commissioner position and over 28 years with Milwaukee Recreation.
"In the spirit, culture, and history that is MPS Interscholastic Athletics, our two-fold philosophy [around education and competition] will continue to ring true," Kelsey said. "Every decision we make should be predicated on ensuring that students work toward graduating and set a solid foundation for future success.
"My goal is to provide a distinct, dynamic culture of excellence with each student-athlete demonstrating the ability to critically and skillfully respond to such values of honesty, discipline, and respect for self."
Kelsey joins the Recreation team with an impressive athletics resume, touching nearly every part of the sports world as a player, coach, and broadcaster. During her basketball playing career, Kelsey's Stanford Cardinal squad captured the 1992 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. A two-time co-captain at Stanford, she played in 105 games - earning 15 starts - despite bookending her college career with devastating ACL injuries. Kelsey was named the team's Most Inspirational Player in 1992 and 1996, and captured the Most Improved Player award in 1993.
Following her playing days, Kelsey immediately launched her coaching career, and worked as an assistant coach from 1996-2011 for Boise State, Vanderbilt, Florida, Evansville, Western Carolina, Virginia Tech, and her alma mater Stanford. She eventually landed the head coaching gig with the Wisconsin Badgers, where she spent five seasons.
Since 2016, Kelsey has spent time as the Vice President of Corporate and Wellness Programs for the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, an assistant coach for the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, and a studio analyst and color commentator for the Big Ten Network. She is now embracing the MPS Athletics community with seven guiding principles: to listen, to learn, to value fiscal responsibility, to establish positive community relations, to uphold integrity, to emphasize service, and to focus on excellence.
"I’d like to welcome Bobbie to her new role as Commissioner of Athletics," Molbeck said. "After spending time with her the past few weeks, I am very confident she will continue to make the improvements necessary to providing a quality experience to our student-athletes and chess, debate, and forensics participants. I believe these programs are in good hands."
Welcome to the team, Bobbie!