Wilson Announces Retirement as Vanguard AD
Costa Mesa, CA, July 17, 2015 – After 20 years of exceptional leadership as the Vanguard University athletic director, Bob Wilson announced his intention to retire as athletic director, effective next year. During his tenure he has steered Vanguard University to championships and awards, in becoming one of the leading institutions in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). Under Wilson’s direction, the Lions have won 2 National Championships and 26 conference (GSAC) titles in 7 different sports.
“I love Vanguard University, because I love the opportunity to be involved with people,” said Wilson. “Vanguard has provided me the opportunity to implement what an athletic program can look like at a faith-based institution, with the emphasis on the development of the whole person, as well as having success in the athletic arena.”
Since Wilson arrived at Vanguard University in the fall of 1995, he has been deeply committed to making an impact on students and athletes at Vanguard University. Wilson coached basketball at the collegiate level for more than 24 years, retiring from coaching after the 2005-06 season with the Lions men’s basketball team. At coaching retirement, Wilson’s overall record was an outstanding 385-357. Under his direction, the Lions have pursued excellence not only in athletics, but academics and character building.
“Bob Wilson is a champion of character,” said Dr. Michael J. Beals, president of Vanguard University. “His enduring legacy has been forged in the hearts and lives of student athletes who pursued integrity and competitive excellence and achieved both.”
Wilson has served the NAIA in significant ways over the years, including chair of NAIA Region II, chair of the National Administration Council, president of the Basketball Coaches Association, men’s basketball rater, and chairman of the NAIA Basketball Tournament. In addition, Wilson has served as vice president of the GSAC, and is currently a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
In 2002 and 2012, Bob Wilson was named NAIA Athletic Director of the Year for the west coast.
In 2004, Wilson was certified by the NAIA as Champions of Character Instructor, and since then has regularly engaged the Vanguard University community, speaking and teaching classes on changing the culture of sport. Vanguard University’s Gold Pride program, created by Wilson, has conceptualized the Champions of Character initiative on the Vanguard campus.
In March 2007, Wilson was inducted into the NAIA Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Wilson was the son of an athletics coach. He played football, basketball, and baseball in high school, and later, collegiate basketball. An Academic All-America athlete, Wilson was starting point guard while at University of Wyoming and helped lead his basketball team to the NCAA National Tournament. He graduated from University of Wyoming in 1969, with a degree in biological sciences, minor in kinesiology. He later went on to receive his masters in physical education at University of Nebraska, Omaha. Prior to his time at Vanguard, Wilson served as athletic director and basketball coach at Phillips University for 11 years and basketball coach at University of Hawaii-Hilo for 10 years; with one year as the interim athletic director.
Wilson and his wife, Tammy, have two daughters—Saundi and Nikki—and five grandchildren.
VANGUARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS UNDER WILSON (1995-present)
National Championships: 2
Women’s Basketball: 2008
Men’s Basketball: 2014
GSAC Championships: 28
Women’s Basketball: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2014
Men’s Basketball: 2014
Men’s Soccer: 2004, 2010
Women’s Soccer: 2012
Softball: 1998, 1999
Men’s Tennis: 1996, 1999, 2000, 2013, 2014, 2015
Women’s Tennis: 2004, 2005, 2014
For more information on the Vanguard University Lions, visit www.vanguardlions.com.
To request an interview, contact:
Erin Hales, Director of Marketing & Communications
714.966.5452
erin.hales@vanguard.edu
ABOUT VANGUARD LIONS
The Intercollegiate Athletic Program at Vanguard University is dedicated to the holistic growth and development of all student athletes, teaching them to lead Christ-centered lives on and off the field of competition. The program encourages a high standard of academic and athletic excellence that embraces character building. Along with the specific-sports instruction, the department seeks significance by providing the student athlete with the knowledge to impact his/her world through a lifetime of service to Christ.
The Vanguard Lions are leaders of character emulating Christ through faithfulness and selflessness, while passionately educating and influencing others to change the culture of sport. Learn more at www.vanguardlions.com.
ABOUT VANGUARD UNIVERSITY
Vanguard University (VU) is a regionally ranked, private, Christian university of liberal arts and professional studies. Located ten minutes from Newport Beach and an hour from Los Angeles, Vanguard equips students for a Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service. Vanguard is committed to academic excellence, boasting small class sizes that are designed to cultivate lasting professor-mentor relationships that enhance the learning process. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Vanguard a top 12 regional college in the west and a top veteran-friendly college for 2015, and The Princeton Review ranked Vanguard a 2014 "Best in the West" regional college. Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, Vanguard offers more than 30 degrees and certificates through its undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies programs. Please visit www.vanguard.edu
