WICHITA, Kan. — The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) and Commissioner Ted Breidenthal are pleased to announce the Game One "Game Changers of the Month" for the month of January.
The Game Changer of the Month recognition celebrates and highlights KCAC student-athletes and staff members in a wide variety of categories and is intended for those who fit the definition of a "Game Changer" in the eye of the athletic department and institution. Any KCAC student-athlete or staff member who fits their definition of a Game Changer is eligible to be nominated by an athletic staff member from any KCAC member institution. KCAC athletic staff are encouraged to identify and nominate Game Changers for consideration who are then reviewed and selected through a voting process. These individuals embody the spirit of the KCAC and have separated themselves by making a distinct and noticeable difference and impact on their campus, in the KCAC and beyond. This award celebrates individuals in the KCAC, in our athletic departments, and on our campuses for their impact. As described, this recognition is not restricted to statistics and objective measures.
Jayson Artaz
Bethel College
Head Coach, Men's Basketball
Artaz was nominated by Stacy Middleton, Athletic Operations Administrator and Senior Woman Leader for Bethel College Athletics.
With a win over Tabor College on January 15, Artaz earned his 132nd career victory at the helm of the Threshers, and became the all-time winningest coach in Bethel men's basketball history, surpassing the previous record held by George Buhr. He was able to accomplish this feat in less than seven full seasons as the head coach.
This milestone came during a month in which the Threshers excelled, going 7-1 in January, which helped them stay in the hunt for the KCAC regular-season title. Bethel currently sits in third place, two games back of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, with four conference games to go.
"Along with being a great leader of men for our men's basketball program, Coach Artaz leads a group of coaches once a month in Professional Development," Middleton added. "This monthly meeting allows coaches insight into ways to improve anything in their program, from fundraising to recruiting to roster management. Coach Artaz takes pride in being a leader for our athletic department and is always a positive ambassador for Bethel College."
Michael Douglas
Ottawa University
Assistant Sports Information Director (Social Media) | Braves Athletics Hall of Fame Liaison
Douglas was nominated by Katie Tooley, director of sports information at Ottawa University.
One of Michael's main responsibilities is serving as a social media coordinator for an athletic department that has 33 teams and nearly 1,000 student-athletes. Tooley attributes the social media presence that the department has on Facebook, Twitter, and Instragram to Douglas's efforts, and recognizes how he connects all those connected to Ottawa University Athletics.
"Michael handles all of the OU Athletics Social Media," Tooley said. "The content that he creates allows the alumni, fans, and parents the opportunity to see their student athletes and teams in a different setting. Because of Michael's efforts, the Athletic Department's social media presence and fan engagement has grown. His efforts are valued across campus, with the University Advancement office using his skill set for Alumni Relations and to help with the University's OU Forever More campaign."
Jennifer Gibson
Evangel University
Administrative Assistant
Gibson was nominated by Scott Metcalf, Evangel's assistant athletic director for compliance, student success, and alumni engagement.
Gibson was hired early in the 2024-25 academic year as the department's new Athletics Administrative Assistant during a time of transition. During this time, Evangel was without a Senior Athletics Director, until Chuck Hepola assumed the position in mid-January. She came in hitting the ground running and learned the operations of the athletic department quickly, working with the assistant and associate directors of athletics to keep the momentum of the athletic department going.
She took the lead in working with head coaches on their budgets, handling all invoices, and hiring office work-study personnel. During the summer, the athletics department moved into a brand-new complex and when Jennifer came on board, there were still many unfinished aspects of the transition that needed to be completed. She worked with the appropriate university personnel making sure that these items were taken care of.
"Jennifer approaches every day with a can-do attitude and lifts our department," Metcalf stated.
Abe Noll
Bethany College
Head Athletic Trainer
Noll was nominated by Laura Moreno, Dean of Athletics at Bethany College.
Abe's hard work as Bethany's Head Athletic Trainer does not go unnoticed by fellow Bethany staff, Bethany College administration, or his peers. His prior experience working in an orthopedic clinic is invaluable when it comes to setting up partnerships with Bethany's team physician, as well as offering physical therapy on campus. Managing the care for a student-athlete population that is 85-90% of
enrollment is no small task,
"Our staff of Abe, Jose Chavarria (the 2023-24 KCAC Staff Athletic Trainer of the Year), and Samuel Paz Perez (a Sterling College grad) are top notch, and we are grateful daily for all they do," Moreno said. "Abe is absolutely one of the unsung heroes of our campus. He consistently goes above and beyond to help serve and care for our student-athletes. His expertise is unquestioned, and we are all better for having Abe on our staff."
Amber Willis
Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Head Athletic Trainer
Willis was nominated by Tahlor Stefek, Sports Information Director for Oklahoma Wesleyan University Athletics.
Willis serves as the Head Athletic Trainer of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, and is currently the only athletic trainer on staff. She serves 19 sports on campus and over 500 athletes, as the athletic department looks for an assistant athletic trainer to help her. She is also a mother of two under three, and does her best to treat her athletes as her own.
"Amber Willis is hard working and dedicated to OKWU athletics, making athletes feel at home and taken care of," Stefek said. "She has outdone herself as a one-man show and wears multiple hats to keep things running smoothly in the athletic training department. Willis also serves OKWU as an adjunct professor for OKWU's exercise science program, allowing our students to grow on and off the field under her care. We are very thankful for Willis and everything she does for this university."
KCAC Game Changers will also be recognized and celebrated at a designated sporting event to be determined.
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ABOUT THE KANSAS COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and sponsors 28 varsity sports. Founded in 1890, the KCAC is the second oldest intercollegiate athletic conference in the country. As the conference home to 14 member institutions, the KCAC emphasizes commitment, cooperation, high achievement, and working towards a common goal in the act of competition. To keep up with the latest conference news, follow the KCAC on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram using the handle @kcacsports.
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