Park University Designates Kristin Gillette as Head of Pirates Sports Department
Kristin Gillette Appointed as Park University's New Director of Athletics
Kristin Gillette, a seasoned athletics administrator with a wealth of experience, has been appointed as the new Director of Athletics at Park University. She is set to commence her role on October 28, 2021, taking over from Claude English, who retired after a 25½-year stint.
Gillette, a resident of Roeland Park, Kan., brings a rich background in athletics management to Park University. She previously served as Associate Director of Athletics/Compliance at MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) in Olathe, Kan.
At MNU, Gillette coordinated long-range plans for athletics, including NAIA compliance, financial aid, staffing, strength and conditioning, academic services, and recruiting. She also managed game operations for various sports, overseeing football, men's and women's soccer and basketball, women's volleyball, and competitive cheer.
Gillette's career in athletics management extends beyond MNU. She spent nine years at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in Kansas City, Mo., where she served as the director of Champions of Character for six years. During this time, she also created the Champions of Character Live 5 program, an online student-athlete training initiative.
In addition, Gillette worked directly with student-athletes in various national programs at the NAIA and provided administrative oversight of Heart of America Athletic Conference and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics opening round championships hosted at MNU.
One of Gillette's notable achievements at Park University will be her role in advancing athlete support programs. She has established a strategic partnership with Opendorse to provide Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) tools and education to all Park University athletes across their dual campuses. This partnership reflects her commitment to expanding resources and opportunities for student-athletes to build, promote, and monetize their personal brands in the evolving sports and collegiate athletics landscape.
Gillette's leadership in athletics management also includes serving on the New Member Site Visit Committee from 2015-17 and as liaison to the NAIA's Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion Committee from 2009-17. She also served as liaison to the Association of Student-Athletes Leadership Council at MNU.
Gillette holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from William Jewell College and a Master of Arts degree in sports administration from Gonzaga University. She has also worked with councils and committees focused on the health and well-being of student-athletes at the NAIA.
With her extensive experience and commitment to student-athlete success, Gillette is poised to lead Park University's athletics programs to new heights.
Despite her extensive background in athletics management, Kristin Gillette also demonstrates a strong commitment to education and self-development, as evidenced by her Master of Arts degree in sports administration from Gonzaga University. In addition, her work with the NAIA's Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Association of Student-Athletes Leadership Council showcases her dedication to fostering a well-rounded athletes' experience that extends beyond sports.
