Michael Karnes is in his fourth year at WSC (2026-27) and second year serving as Assistant Athletic Director for Operations after working his first two years as Sports & Recreation Center Manager. Karnes oversees management and operations of the Wellness Center, is in charge of facility scheduling and calendars, contingency maintenance budget oversight, athletic game management and setup and streaming, instant replay and athletic department technology along with overseeing the Sports & Wellness Center position.
           A native of Pella, Iowa and Wayne State graduate, Karnes comes to WSC after serving one year as building coordinator at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines where he supervised workers in set up/tear down, change overs and training of new staff for tennants such as the Iowa Wolves, Iowa Wild, Iowa Barnstormers, NCAA March Madness, concerts and other events at the center. Karnes also worked in facilities planning and management for two summers at Central College in Pella, Iowa.
           Karnes graduated from Wayne State in May, 2020 with a bachelor's degree in sport management. While attending WSC he gained experience working game management set up crew for two years, worked home events for two years at Little Priest Tribal College in Winnebago, served as a volunteer working the AVCA Women's Final Four and served as a practicum for Wildcat athletics where among many things helped re-write the student athletic handbook. He also worked an internship at Ripken Family Experience in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
           Karnes obtained a master's degree from the University of Arkansas in May, 2022 in recreation and sports management and resides in Wakefield with his wife Karlee and one-year-old son Garrett.
Updated 7/15/26
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