River Forest, Ill. – The Dominican University Department of Athletics and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Dr. John Planek, have announced the appointment of Ryley Davis as the new Athletics Communications Graduate Assistant.

Davis, a Gilbert, Arizona native, graduated from Dominican University in May 2026 with her undergraduate degree in business economics.

Davis was an intern for the Athletics Communications department for two years and took great strides into getting the graduate assistant role. Aside from her work as an intern, and in the classroom, Ryley was a four-year softball player where she led the Stars to 2 Northern Athletics Conference Championships and programs first two appearances in the national tournament. Ryley hit .393 in her four-year career and ended on a big note with a .442 batting average which is good for 9^th in the Dominican University softball record book in single season batting average.
 
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. John Planek commented on the hiring of Ryley Davis by saying, "Anytime a successful athlete chooses to remain at Dominican to be part of our department, I am delighted that they do. Ryley is a welcome addition as a graduate assistant, where she can build on the work she accomplished as a student employee."
 
Dominican University Softball Head Coach Cristina Lukas stated that, "Ryley is a tremendous addition to our staff. She bring a hard work ethic, high standards and experience to our position. She will make an immediate impact." 

Director of Athletic Communications Chris Randel added to the hiring of Ryley Davis by saying, "Ryley has been an intern with our department for the past two years and has consistently demonstrated a genuine passion for Dominican Athletics and a strong desire to learn more about athletic communications and collegiate athletics as a whole. Her eagerness to grow, willingness to take on new challenges, and commitment to our department have been evident throughout her time here. I am excited to continue mentoring Ryley and sharing the Dominican way with her as she begins the next two years as a graduate assistant. I have no doubt she will continue to make a positive impact on our department and our student-athletes."