Wildcat Athletics launches ACU Advantage
5/4/2022 4:18:00 PM | General
ABILENE, Texas – Vice President for Athletics Zack Lassiter and ACU Athletics announced on Wednesday the launching of the ACU Advantage, a first of its kind, comprehensive intentional leadership and spiritual development program for coaches.
"ACU's mission is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world," Lassiter said. "In support of ACU's strategic plan, we want to equip our coaches and staff to be spiritual leaders for their student-athletes and colleagues.
The specific programming includes a mixture of ACU resources and talent combined with outside content experts in the field of leadership development for coaches. The ACU Advantage will include the following:
- ACU Foundations Retreat | an annual meeting each May led by ACU leaders where all coaches and staff attend to learn the ACU way to becoming spiritual leaders of their programs
- ACU Athletics Fellowship Plan | a 12-month calendar of opportunities being delivered by ACU Athletics Leadership, including chapels, Bible studies, service opportunities, etc.
- Sport Specific Initiatives | each sport will continue to develop programming and opportunities with their teams focusing on the spiritual and leadership development of their individual student-athletes and collectively as a team
The ACU Advantage begins on May 4 with the inaugural ACU Foundation Retreat led by former ACU Director of Athletics and current ACU Board of Trustees member Cecil Eager ('71).
KINGDOM COACHING
The ACU Advantage will also include a partnership with Kingdom Coaching, a program that works with elite coaches across the country to help develop their leadership abilities. Travis Wyckoff started Kingdom Coaching in 2017 and is a former Division I head coach and professional athlete who later spent six years overseeing leadership development at his home church.
Coaches will have access to a a 365-day relationship with Wyckoff that will include 12 on-site visits throughout the year for a combination of one-on-one meetings with head coaches and group sessions for all coaches
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Abigail Farler, ACU head softball coach
"I am so grateful that we are partnering with Travis Wyckoff and Kingdom Coaching. I believe that this investment into our coaches as leaders and disciples will pay off in a very big way for our student-athletes and Athletics department. Having access to Travis to get spiritual development, leadership training and gain outside perspective is an incredible opportunity for ACU athletics."
Casey Wilson, ACU head women's soccer coach
"This will be an exciting opportunity for coaches to grow in different ways and have a much needed outlet to help us navigate through the ups and downs of our profession."
Rick McCarty, ACU head baseball coach
"I'm very excited about beginning our partnership with Travis and Kingdom Coaching. He has a passion and gift for helping develop leaders. When the leader gets better, everyone gets better, so I can't wait to see how this impacts our department and programs as we continue to push forward!"
Cecil Eager, ACU graduate/former ACU Director of Athletics/current Board of Trustees member
"ACU's mission has been evident in ACU Athletics for a long time. This new program is a wonderful step to help coaches and student-athletes with leadership and spiritual development. All Wildcats will be pleased with this renewed emphasis."
Travis Wyckoff, founder of Kingdom Coaching
"I'm grateful for Zack Lassiter and ACU giving me this opportunity, and I could not be more excited to work with the ACU coaches!"
"ACU's mission is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world," Lassiter said. "In support of ACU's strategic plan, we want to equip our coaches and staff to be spiritual leaders for their student-athletes and colleagues.
The specific programming includes a mixture of ACU resources and talent combined with outside content experts in the field of leadership development for coaches. The ACU Advantage will include the following:
- ACU Foundations Retreat | an annual meeting each May led by ACU leaders where all coaches and staff attend to learn the ACU way to becoming spiritual leaders of their programs
- ACU Athletics Fellowship Plan | a 12-month calendar of opportunities being delivered by ACU Athletics Leadership, including chapels, Bible studies, service opportunities, etc.
- Sport Specific Initiatives | each sport will continue to develop programming and opportunities with their teams focusing on the spiritual and leadership development of their individual student-athletes and collectively as a team
The ACU Advantage begins on May 4 with the inaugural ACU Foundation Retreat led by former ACU Director of Athletics and current ACU Board of Trustees member Cecil Eager ('71).
KINGDOM COACHING
The ACU Advantage will also include a partnership with Kingdom Coaching, a program that works with elite coaches across the country to help develop their leadership abilities. Travis Wyckoff started Kingdom Coaching in 2017 and is a former Division I head coach and professional athlete who later spent six years overseeing leadership development at his home church.
Coaches will have access to a a 365-day relationship with Wyckoff that will include 12 on-site visits throughout the year for a combination of one-on-one meetings with head coaches and group sessions for all coaches
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Abigail Farler, ACU head softball coach
"I am so grateful that we are partnering with Travis Wyckoff and Kingdom Coaching. I believe that this investment into our coaches as leaders and disciples will pay off in a very big way for our student-athletes and Athletics department. Having access to Travis to get spiritual development, leadership training and gain outside perspective is an incredible opportunity for ACU athletics."
Casey Wilson, ACU head women's soccer coach
"This will be an exciting opportunity for coaches to grow in different ways and have a much needed outlet to help us navigate through the ups and downs of our profession."
Rick McCarty, ACU head baseball coach
"I'm very excited about beginning our partnership with Travis and Kingdom Coaching. He has a passion and gift for helping develop leaders. When the leader gets better, everyone gets better, so I can't wait to see how this impacts our department and programs as we continue to push forward!"
Cecil Eager, ACU graduate/former ACU Director of Athletics/current Board of Trustees member
"ACU's mission has been evident in ACU Athletics for a long time. This new program is a wonderful step to help coaches and student-athletes with leadership and spiritual development. All Wildcats will be pleased with this renewed emphasis."
Travis Wyckoff, founder of Kingdom Coaching
"I'm grateful for Zack Lassiter and ACU giving me this opportunity, and I could not be more excited to work with the ACU coaches!"
#GoWildcats
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