Park University agrees to Kristin Gillette's appointment as the head of Pirates Athletics
In a significant move for Park University, Kristin Gillette has been appointed as the next Director of Athletics. The announcement follows a nationwide search, and Gillette is set to officially begin her role on Thursday, Oct. 28.
Gillette brings a wealth of experience in collegiate athletics administration to Park University. Prior to joining the institution, she spent nine years at the NAIA in Kansas City, Mo., and served as the Director of Champions of Character for six years.
Gillette's career highlights include her role at Park University, where she has led innovative partnerships such as the recent collaboration with Opendorse to provide student-athletes with Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) support, education, and resources. This initiative marks a significant effort to empower student-athletes at Park University with tools for brand development, compliant NIL opportunities, and compliance reporting.
Before her tenure at Park University, Gillette served as associate director of athletics/compliance at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan. She also provided administrative oversight of Heart of America Athletic Conference and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics opening round championships hosted at MNU.
Gillette's career in athletics administration began in Kansas City, Mo., where she served as the girls basketball head coach at The Barstow School for two years and an additional two years as a girls basketball assistant coach at The Pembroke Hill School. Prior to her career in athletics administration, Gillette served as the sports director at the Paul Henson Family YMCA in Prairie Village, Kan.
Gillette's work at the NAIA was marked by her involvement in various councils and committees focused on the health and well-being of student-athletes. She served as liaison to the NAIA's Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion Committee from 2009-17 and the New Member Site Visit Committee from 2015-17. Gillette also created the Champions of Character Live 5 program.
Gillette's appointment comes after the retirement of Claude English, who served as director of athletics for 25.5 years. English's tenure saw numerous successes, including the Raiders winning the Missouri Class 3A state championships in 2005 and 2006 under Gillette's leadership.
Kristin Gillette, a resident of Roeland Park, Kan., is a former NAIA student-athlete, having played volleyball and basketball at Hannibal-LaGrange University before transferring to William Jewell College. She earned a Master of Arts degree in sports administration from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from William Jewell College.
As Park University's new Director of Athletics, Gillette is poised to build on the university's athletic success and continue to support student-athlete development and institutional partnerships in the NAIA context.
- In her role at Park University, Kristin Gillette has not only led innovative partnerships for student-athletes in education and self-development, but also fostered career development opportunities, such as the recent collaboration with Opendorse for Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) support.
- Before excelling in collegiate athletics administration, Kristin Gillette honed her skills in sports as the girls basketball head coach at The Barstow School, embodying a lifelong passion for sports that extends beyond her career development.
