Michael Elbe
Coordinator of Student Life
Phone: (217)641-4975
Email: melbe@jwcc.edu 

Michael Elbe, serves John Wood Community College as the Director of Student Life & Athletics. In 1991, he was hired to create and develop the College’s first intercollegiate athletic program, while enhancing the development of the Student Life Program. “I strongly believe that a comprehensive Student Life Program and co-curricular activities provide educational and leadership opportunities for our students to grow as people, students and future professionals.”

Michael Elbe has had two stints at John Wood Community College. The first being from 1990-1997, when he served as John Wood’s first Director of Student Life & Athletics and Head Men’s Basketball Coach, and the second in 2002, when he returned to serve as the Director of Athletics and Head Men’s Basketball Coach. Between 1997-2002, he was at the University of Dubuque (IA), serving as the Director of Athletics, Head Men’s Basketball Coach and Assistant Dean of Students, while also teaching classes in Physical Education at the College.

Michael earned his Masters of Education degree from the University of South Alabama (Mobile) in 1987 and a Bachelor of Science degree from Quincy University (IL) in 1986. While doing his graduate work at the University of South Alabama, he served as assistant basketball coach and taught physical education classes. After his graduate work, Michael was at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington and at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College serving in student life, teaching and coaching positions.

Elbe has earned numerous awards, including five Coach of the Year distinctions. He has been selected as an Outstanding Young Men in America, while receiving the Most Inspirational Teacher Award from Western Illinois University and a Certificate of Merit Award from the American Red Cross. He was also selected the Professional Staff Member of the Year at JWCC in 1996. Native of Camp Point (IL), Elbe was raised a coach’s son playing for his father, the late Coach Harry Elbe, who is in the Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame.

Michael Elbe is married to Gerese, and they have three children, Olivia, Harrison, and Lincoln.