John Leavens

Vice President for Membership

816.595.8111 | jleavens@naia.org

 

John Leavens joined the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as a member of the NAIA’s senior management team in 2004.  As NAIA Vice President, John’s responsibilities include NAIA championships, legislative services, Champions of Character community outreach programming, and strategic planning.

From 1999-2004, John served as executive director of the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance, a coalition of major U.S. sports organizations focused on character in sport.  He previously was employed by the NCAA for 17 years, where he served as Vice President. 

John is a graduate of Duke University, where he was a four-year letter winner in men’s soccer and captained the team his senior year, and received a master’s degree in Sports Management from Ohio State University.

Given his love for the outdoors and recreation of all kinds, John joined the Johnson County Parks and Recreation Foundation board in 2003.  He spearheaded the development of Friends for Parks and Recreation early in 2005 and has chaired the Friends board of trustees since its inception.  He was recognized as Kansas Volunteer of the Year by the Kansas Parks and Recreation Association last year.

John also serves as vice president of the Kansas City chapter of Amigos de las Americas, which equips local high school age volunteers each year for community service with partner organizations in a dozen countries in Central and South America.

John, along with his wife Joan and daughters Lane, Claire and Elly reside in Overland Park, KS