Zachary S. “Zach” Goines, age 49, of Champaign, Illinois, and formerly of Kettering, passed away peacefully on August 19, 2026, at Hospice of Dayton. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, on February 16, 1977, the son of Craig and Barbara (Iacovone) Goines.

After graduating from Alter High School in 1995, Zach earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Kentucky in 1999, followed by a master’s degree in sports administration from Indiana University in 2000. While at Kentucky, he served the Wildcat men’s basketball program as a student manager from 1995–1999, a period that included two national championships and one national runner-up finish. Zach also pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon at Kentucky.

Zach completed an internship with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) from 2000–2001 before beginning his distinguished career in collegiate athletic development. His first professional role was at the University of Miami (Florida), where he worked as an assistant director of development from 2001–2004. He then moved to Marquette University as director of the Blue & Gold Fund from 2004–2007, followed by a position at Iowa State University from 2007–2011 as director of development for athletics.

Zach continued his career on the East Coast, serving as senior director of development for athletics from 2011–2012, before settling into what became his professional home at the University of Illinois. From 2012–2026, he served the Illini family as director of development for Chicago operations and ultimately as the Office of Athletics Development’s deputy administrator.

A passionate sports fan, Zach loved all his teams: anything Illini, his alma mater Kentucky Wildcats, the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals, the Dayton Flyers, and—last but certainly not least—the Kings of Merseyside, Liverpool FC. He also cherished time spent bass fishing and golfing with friends and family.

Zach was preceded in death by his grandparents, Pat and Rhea Iacovone and Gillis and Lillian Goines and his aunt, Pam Goines.

Zach is survived by his parents, Craig and Barbara (Iacovone) Goines; his brother, Josh Goines, (partner) Megan; and his niece, Quinn Goines, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 4-7pm in the WESTBROCK & DANIEL FUNERAL HOME- KETTERING, 5980 Bigger Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Zach's honor by Fr. Dan Meyer on Friday, September 11, 2026 at 10:30am in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4500 Ackerman Blvd., Kettering. Zach will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at a later date in Miami Valley Memory Gardens.

If unable to attend in person, please join us in prayer and participate fully at www.mgparish.org/watch-mass-online

In lieu of flowers, Zach requested gifts supporting Siteman Cancer Center through the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Memorial contributions may be made to:

The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital

1001 Highlands Plaza Drive West, Suite 140

St. Louis, Mo. 63110-1339

314.262.0600