Josh Binder

Josh Binder is the founder and head coach of Outwork Elite, a basketball development program that works with athletes from elementary school through college, helping them grow both as players and as people. Through Outwork Elite, he also partners with Special Olympics Illinois to host free camps and clinics for athletes and coaches every year.

Prior to founding Outwork, Josh worked as a college/hs assistant coach including positions at Eureka College, Iowa Wesleyan University, Aurora University, Kishwaukee College, Marian Central Catholic High School, Bloomington High School, and Mercury Elite AAU. Over the years, he has trained and mentored athletes who have gone on to earn NCAA and NAIA All-American and All-Conference honors, as well as playing professionally, but more importantly, have gone on to build successful personal and professional lives.

Outside of coaching, Josh has dedicated much of his career to fundraising and advancement. He has served as Executive Director at GiGi’s Playhouse, a national nonprofit supporting individuals with Down syndrome, and as Executive Director at Beyond Sports Foundation, a former 501(c)(3) serving student-athletes throughout the Chicagoland area. His previous fundraising roles include positions at Kishwaukee College, North Central College, Marian Central Catholic High School, and Lions Clubs International Foundation. He has also served as a board member for the National Association for Down Syndrome.

Josh now currently serves as Senior Director of Advancement at Northern Illinois University for the NIU Foundation, where he leads the central advancement efforts.

In addition to his work in athletics and advancement, Josh recently released his first children’s book, inspired by his daughter Maddie. His books—including Mighty Maddie’s Big Game, and others, are now available on Amazon—celebrating perseverance, inclusion, and the belief that differences can be superpowers.

Josh resides in the Chicago suburbs with his wife Stacy, son Wesley, and daughter Maddie.