Drury offers Nyla Milleson lengthy contract extension

A contract extension will keep Nyla Milleson at Drury University through at least mid-2030.

Drury President Jeff Frederick announced April 20 that Milleson will remain vice president and director of athletics for four additional years. She was named Drury’s lead administrator for athletics in February 2022.

"It would be hard to find many aspects of higher education in as much transition as athletics,” Frederick said, in a news release.

“Nyla's steady hand, deep understanding of Drury, Springfield and the Ozarks, and strong relationships have been integral in our ongoing success,” Frederick said, according to the release. From national championships, national and conference contention, the wide-ranging successes in NCAA and non-NCAA sports, outstanding student-athlete performance in the classroom, and building future leaders, Nyla has captained a range of excellence all across our athletic footprint. We are blessed to have her at the helm.”

During Milleson's tenure, the Panthers and Lady Panthers have captured eight conference titles and represented Drury in NCAA Division II postseason competition on 32 occasions. Additionally, the Drury men's and women's basketball programs have led the Great Lakes Valley Conference in cumulative home attendance in each of the past four years, with both teams ranking among the top 15 nationally each season.

All 33 varsity sport programs posted at least a 3.0 team GPA for 2025, and Drury's NCAA student-athletes recorded an average individual GPA of 3.49 for the 2024-25 academic year.

“What an incredible four years it’s been,” Milleson said, in the release. “I’m grateful for the leadership of Dr. Frederick and our Board of Trustees, and for their belief in me. I’m excited for the opportunity to continue leading this department and working with such an outstanding group of student-athletes, coaches and administrators in adding to our championship tradition here at Drury.”

Milleson led a department-wide restructuring that resulted in the addition of two senior-level administrator positions and several additional full-time athletics staff members, according to Drury officials.

Drury credited Milleson with a significant uptick in the enrollment of student athletes and revenue. She oversaw 42% growth in student-athlete enrollment in the past four years, including the addition of two sport programs.

The university’s 2025 Challenge generated $463,647 in revenue for athletics, shattering the fundraising standard for the fourth year, according to the release.