Athletic Director Spotlight - Jason Gillespie, Cincinnati Christian University
KIAC Athletic Director Spotlight
In this edition of the KIAC AD Spotlight, KIAC SID Jeremy Steele introduces Cincinnati Christian University AD Jason Gillespie who provides some insight on CCU Athletics and the KIAC.
AD First and Last name: Jason Gillespie
School Name: Cincinnati Christian University
Years in position: 2
Years experience in athletics: In my 14th year as a coach/administrator at the collegiate level
Hometown: I am a minister's son, so I like to say I have a home area of Kentucky Indiana, and Tennessee.
Profile: Married for 13 and a half years to Cindy. She is an Emergency Room Registered Nurse. We have an almost 7 year old son named Keilan. Interested in college and pro sports, particularly University of Kentucky and the Cincinnati Reds.
** AD talk with Jason Gillespie**
Cincinnati Christian University offers a number of competitive sports. Tell us more about what CCU offers and what's new in the Athletics Department.
CCU is an institution that stresses the importance of our students' spiritual development over everything else. The overriding goal of our university and our athletic department is to develop Christian leaders to serve the world.
Athletically, we are only in our 3rd year in the KIAC and as an NAIA member. We are striving to become a valuable member of this conference and of the NAIA.
In athletic departments across the nation there are stories of traditions, past coaches, and memorable games. Share with us one or two of these that are linked with the legacy of CCU Athletics.
During our homecoming game last month, we retired the jersey of Charlie McMahan, the school's all-time leading scorer. He led our school (then known as Cincinnati Bible College) to the first of three straight NAIA II National Tournaments in the mid-1980's. After originally coming to the school to, in his words, "just to play basketball", he achieved his degree and is a very successful minister now.
Education is certainly strengthened and enhanced in the classroom. How does CCU Athletics supplement the education experience of its student athletes?
In regard to student-athletes, our focus may be a bit different than many schools. Our primary focus is developing student-athletes spiritually, secondly is academically, and lastly is physically. That is our goal.
In existence since 1915, the KIAC possesses a unique tradition. What distinguishes the KIAC from other NAIA conferences?
The sheer length of the conference's existence is a major distinguishing factor in my opinion. It has a unique blend of a couple of state run schools, a pharmaceutical institution, and Christ centered institutions.