#KingChasing Podcast Brandon Gilmore

Hailey Cavanagh is the head softball coach of Concordia University Ann Arbor. Hailey is in her seventh year with the Cardinals and during her time has had three NCCAA World Series’ appearances, one National Championship title, and has been named NCCAA Coach of the Year. She has also twice been named the conference Champion of Character Coach. Hailey received her bachelor’s degree from William Penn University in 2010 and her Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Dubuque in 2012.



In this episode, Hailey shares about the on-field success of her softball team, how she integrates faith within the team, and balancing the mindset of winning while staying focused on Christ.

Mark Womack is the Sports Information Director for Cedarville University. Mark has been the SID for the Yellow Jackets since 1983, currently serving in his 41st year. Also a Cedarville graduate, he was a four-year member of the men’s basketball and golf teams, and was inducted into the Cedarville University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. Mark was also the 2000 recipient of the Clarence “Ike” Pearson Award which recognizes outstanding achievement in the sports information field.



In this episode, Mark shares about his time at Cedarville as a student-athlete and SID, how his job has changed over the past 40 years, and how he incorporates faith into his role.

Dan Wood has been the NCCAA Executive Director since 2000. With over 35 years of service in higher education, Dan has been a coach, faculty member, and athletic administrator at Limestone College, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and Indiana Wesleyan University. He’s been inducted into Southern Wesleyan’s Hall of Fame as a student-athlete and Oklahoma Wesleyan’s Hall of Fame as a coach and athletic director. He has written for a variety of publications on subjects ranging from student-athlete recruitment to population diversity in faith-based institutions.



This episode features a portion of a presentation by Dan at the 2023 NCCAA Convention, where he shares about sustained excellence and the unified mission of believers.

Rick McKinley is the Director of International Tours with Missionary Athletes International (MAI). Rick has been with MAI for 37 years in various roles and ministries, including with the Southern California Seahorses, Charlotte Eagles, and the Chicago Eagles. He has led over 40 soccer mission trips to 25 different countries and helped start a two-month sports ministry experience that has discipled soccer players from over 80 different colleges and universities.



In this episode, Rick shares about his experience serving with MAI, life-changing stories from mission trips, and his time as an NCCAA chaplain.

Mark Whitworth is the VP for Intercollegiate Athletics & University Communications at Asbury University. Under Mark’s leadership, Asbury became members of NCAA DIII and the NCCAA, had several student-focused enhancements to athletics facilities, and was named the NCCAA’s #KingChasing Institution of the Year this past year. Prior to Asbury, Mark served on the Southeastern Conference staff for 27 years in roles that include Director of Media Relations and Associate Commissioner for External Affairs. He participated in the SEC’s media rights negotiations with ESPN and CBS, which also resulted in the launch of the SEC Network.



In this episode, Mark shares about his time working in the SEC, Asbury’s over two-week long revival, and ways that he integrates Christ within the athletic department.

Kristin Steele is the head women’s volleyball coach for OUAZ. Kristin has coached at the junior college, NAIA, and NCCAA level for 26 seasons and has a career record of 541-324. She’s led her teams to seven national tournament appearances and has been named conference coach of the year five times. Prior to coaching, Kristin had a standout career as a player at the University of Central Oklahoma and was named to the Broncho Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.



In this episode, Kristin shares about the keys to building a program from scratch, how she integrates faith within her team, and how her relationship with Christ influences the way she coaches.