David Bireline Named Athletic Director at Ohio Christian University
(Story from OCUTrailblazers.com)
CIRCLEVILLE, OH - David Bireline is the new athletic director at Ohio Christian University. As a former athletic director at two high caliber institutions, David was selected from a pool of top candidates from across the nation following an extensive search by the university.
Bireline joins OCU after almost forty years of experience from multiple sport arenas, including international basketball, coaching, teaching, and sports administration work. It is OCU's belief that Bireline can help grow and improve the athletic program to a high level of quality and competition within the NAIA.
"Ohio Christian University is delighted to have Mr. Dave Bireline take over the leadership of OCU athletics. He brings extensive collegiate experience as a player, coach and athletic director. With his athletic experience and spiritual depth, he will help the OCU athletic department continue its winning tradition," stated Dr. Rick Christman, current Vice President of Academics and Student Services.
Bireline will be stepping into the position following the departure of Ben Belleman. Belleman led an expansion of OCU athletics over the last five years that culminated into a successful NAIA transition in 2015. Belleman was recently tabbed as the new Director of Membership and Compliance at the NCCAA National Office located in Greenville, South Carolina. When asked about Belleman, Bireline stated, "It will be a true honor to build upon this legacy and continue to grow OCU athletics to new heights."
Bireline, a Midwest man himself, is originally from Illinois. After a four year stretch of playing on the Sports Ambassadors All-Star Basketball Team from 1978-82, where he was able to play in over five countries, Bireline finished his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, as well as his Masters of Education from Seattle Pacific University. Bireline would stay at Seattle Pacific and act as their Assistant Director of Intercollegiate Athletics as well as Assistant Basketball Coach, before moving to the NAIA in 1990. It was then he became Indiana Wesleyan University's Head Men's Basketball Coach. In 1994,
Bireline then made the transition to Taylor University, also a member of the NAIA. For three years he acted as the Assistant Basketball Coach and Associate Director of Admissions before becoming the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics in 1997. Bireline remained in Indiana until 2009, when he made the move back out to the west coast, becoming Concordia University's new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. He remained in California for seven years, before coming back to the Midwest in 2016.
"Ohio Christian University is thrilled to have someone with the experience of David Bireline," said University President Mark Smith. "He has led programs on every level and will lead OCU to a great future! His spiritual life was also on display beautifully as we interviewed him". Bireline had this to say about his faith and how he integrates it into his walk with Christ daily: "I was fortunate to grow up in a Christian home with a Dad and Mom who love Jesus Christ with all their heart. Everything I do and who I am is permeated by my faith in our Lord Jesus Christ."
Former Athletic Director Ben Belleman had this to say about bringing David on board: "I am excited that God led us to Dave and that he understands the mission and direction of OCU athletics. He is a great match for the Trailblazers".
Although his experience is broad and extensive, some of Bireline's more notable accomplishments include,
- Studied and compiled research findings and implemented changes regarding Gender Equality to comply with Title IX requirements
- Conducted an extensive Intercollegiate Athletic Comprehensive Review in order to establish a strategic plan to align program objectives with the university's mission
- Negotiated a department's first-ever apparel contract with Adidas, which enhanced and elevated the department's marketing profile
- Proposed and launched five new sports programs including men's volleyball, women's lacrosse, acrobatics and tumbling, beach volleyball, and cheer
- Five NAIA National Championships under his leadership as Director of Athletics including baseball, women's volleyball, men's basketball, men's volleyball, and softball
"It is with great anticipation that I look forward to joining the Ohio Christian University family," said Bireline. "In particular, I want to say thank you to President Smith, Dr. Christman, and the OCU administration for the privilege of leading such a solid intercollegiate athletic program. I consider it of the utmost importance that the athletic program continues to reflect the mission of OCU while at the same time using athletics as a platform for preparing world-impacting Christian servant leaders. I trust that with the Lord's guidance I will be able to be an asset and make a significant contribution to the continued growth and development of Ohio Christian University in the years ahead."
Located in Circleville, Ohio, Ohio Christian University is an accredited institution committed to offering a complete education that develops students intellectually, professionally, and spiritually. Ohio Christian University offers seventeen total sports programs, including eight men's and nine women's. Recently added to the department were men's and women's tennis, as well as women's golf. OCU is a member of the NAIA as well as the River States Conference (RSC).