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Cole Appointed Interim Director Of Athletics
Posted: 7/16/2010
Jack Cole

Grantham, PA — Messiah College announced Friday that Health and Human Performance Department Chair Jack Cole will serve as Director of Athletics on an interim basis, beginning his appointment immediately.

Cole assumes the position in conjunction with his department chair duties, and will take over leadership of one of the nation’s most successful NCAA Division III athletics programs as a result.

“We are pleased that Jack has willingly agreed to step in and serve as our Director of Athletics,” said Kris Hansen-Kieffer, Messiah Vice Provost and Dean of Students. “His experience in both administration and intercollegiate athletics make him especially qualified for this position.”

Cole arrives to his new role with a vast knowledge of both Messiah and Falcons’ sports, as the one-time Messiah men’s basketball coach begins his 26th year at the institution in 2010-2011. Cole previously served as the Health and Human Performance Department Chair from 1991-1993 before beginning his second stint in 2003, first arriving to Messiah as an instructor in 1985.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity and challenge,” Cole said. “We have an excellent NCAA Division III athletics program, one of the best in the country. I hope to build on that success as we move forward. Because of my work as a department chair, I’m excited about the possibilities of a closer working relationship between athletics and academics. I think there is real potential for our sports management majors to become more closely involved with our athletics programs here, and that’s an exciting component.”

Cole conceptualized and developed the school’s Sports Management major in 2003, and has served as the academic director since its inception. With 240 students, the Health and Human Performance Department is currently the institution’s third-largest academic department.

Athletically, Cole served as Messiah’s men’s golf head coach from 1988-1993 and its men’s basketball head coach from 1993-1996, working as a men’s basketball assistant coach from 1985-1991. He was a member of the NCAA Regional Committee during his final two years as the Falcons’ round ball leader.

“Jack is committed to our mission of ‘pursuing athletic excellence … developing Christian character,’ and I am encouraged by his desire for a vision that strengthens both athletics and academics,” Hansen-Kieffer said.

Prior to coming to Messiah, Cole worked at Malone College, his alma mater, for three years. After graduating in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in history and physical education, Cole served as both sports information director and assistant men’s basketball coach. Following a master’s degree in sports science from Ashland University in 1984, Cole returned to Malone as a health and physical education instructor.

Over the years, Cole has taught over 10 different college courses and co-authored three academic publications, helping to land three curriculum grants and another four scholarship grants during his time at Messiah. Cole remains an active member of the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, among other organizations.

Messiah’s Health and Human Performance Department encompasses five academic majors: Sports Management, Adventure Education, Athletic Training, Health & Exercise Science, and Health & Physical Education.

“My role as Interim Director of Athletics is to provide direction and support to the coaches and student-athletes,” Cole said. “The development of new initiatives to enhance the quality of the athletics programs is also a continuous goal as we strive to achieve athletic excellence through Christian character.”

Cole is married to Michelle, his wife of 28 years. The couple has three children, Ashley (24), Tyler (22) and Grant (18). They reside in Dillsburg, Pa.