Tom Kowalski
Director, Midwest Region
(847) 726-0610
Tom Kowalski is the Director of the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) Midwest Regional Office and President of The Transit Group, a consulting firm providing professional, collegiate and high school sport organizations and athletes with training and transition programs.
Tom began his work with the Consortium while working as an Associate Director for Admission at DePaul University. In 1992, Richard Lapchick contacted Tom in regard to designing and implementing a continuing education program for the National Football League. For the next decade, the NCAS coordinated the NFL Player Education Program resulting in over 3,000 player and spouse enrollments. In addition to his work with the NFL, Kowalski also designed and implemented programs for the National Basketball Association, Continental Basketball Association and Canadian Football League.
Tom has also served as an educational resource to the National Hockey League, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Indians.
In addition to his work with the Consortium, Kowalski served as the Director of Project Academics at DePaul (1985-99) and Director of the Student-Athlete Enhancement Programs (1999-2001). In the latter role, Kowalski was responsible for the coordination of DePaul’s athletic academic advising and NCAA/Champs Life Skills Program. DePaul student-athletes averaged better than a 3.000 overall grade point average and won numerous individual and team conference athletic awards during his tenure.
As President of The Transit Group, Kowalski oversees the delivery of custom designed programs in continuing education, English as a second language, career development, financial education, life skills and corporate training to professional athletes and athletic organizations. Clients include the National Football League, the National Football League Players Association, the Tennessee Titans, the Chicago White Sox and the National Football Foundation where Tom currently serves as an academic coach for Dunbar Career Vocational Academy in Chicago.
An author of articles on education and career planning programs for professional athletes, Kowalski has been interviewed in both print and electronic media to discuss issues related to athletic transition. He currently is authoring a career transition workbook for professional athletes.
A graduate of DePaul University, Kowalski is a member of the Executive Board of the National Consortium for Academics and Sports. He also is a member of the National Association of Athletic Academic Advisors, the National Association of College Admission Counselors, and the Association for Psychological Type. He also serves on the advisory board of the International House of Blues Foundation. An avid runner after 40, Kowalski has competed in the Chicago (3), Music City (Nashville) and Lake County (IL) marathons.
Tom and his wife, Diane, and their three children, Tommy (11), Andrew (8) and Allison (8) reside in Lake Zurich, IL.