OUAZ Director of Athletics Kevin Steele is pleased to announce that Kristin Steele has been selected as Assistant Athletic Director. This appointment is effective immediately.
"Kristin is well-prepared to make her transition into full-time athletics administration after 27 years as a successful volleyball coach," Kevin Steele said. "In addition to her illustrious coaching career, she has been involved in leadership at the NJCAA, AVCA, NCCAA, NAIA, and numerous conference levels. She has served as a board member of national governing bodies, executive chair, President of coaching associations, director of national championships, and chair of multiple conference committees. Her long list of leadership successes, coupled with her desire to serve the Lord, make her ideal for this important staff position as Senior Women's Administrator and Assistant Director of Athletics. We cannot wait to see how she moves our department forward with excellence and innovation."
Kristin Steele is moving into this position after being the Head Coach of the OUAZ Women's Volleyball program. Kristin Steele is the only head coach in the history of the program, posting 100 wins during her tenure. She won the 2021 GSAC Championship, and made the final site of the 2021 NAIA National Championships.
Kristin Steele is no stranger to leadership roles, as she has served in many different ways in the college volleyball landscape. She has been on the AVCA NAIA Coaches' Association Board, NAIA GSAC women's volleyball rater, and on the NCCAA National Volleyball Chair, among other appointments.
"I would like to thank [OUAZ President] Dr. Dennis Tyner, [Ottawa University Chancellor] Dr. Bill Tsutsui, and Kevin Steele for giving me this opportunity to serve the OUAZ community and student athletes in a different capacity. I am honored and blessed to have been a part of starting the volleyball program and this great university. Although I will miss my volleyball athletes, I am excited to come alongside our Athletic Director Kevin as we continue to do the work the Lord has called us to do since moving here in 2017."
Prior to OUAZ, Kristin Steele spent seven seasons (2010-2016) as the head coach MidAmerica Nazarene. She was the most successful coach in program history, winning 175 games, posting a .711 winning percentage, and five trips to the NAIA National Championship. Kristin Steele was named Heart of America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year four times, won five HAAC Regular Season Championships, four HAAC Conference Tournament Championships, and had two undefeated conference regular seasons.
Prior to MNU, Kristin Steele was the head coach at Redlands Community College for 13 seasons. She ranked in the NJCAA Top 20 in ten seasons, made the conference tournament in each season, and made an NJCAA National Championship appearance.
This appointment is effective immediately. Olivia Afusia will take over as the Interim Head Women's Volleyball Coach at OUAZ.
