Gillespie Named ULM Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine

Football Sep 20

MONROE, La. – Chris Gillespie, whose career in athletic training and sports medicine spans 40 years, has been named ULM Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine. Gillespie officially assumed his role on Thursday, Sept. 1.

He served in many capacities in sports medicine at Samford University from 1982-2013. After retiring from the Birmingham, Alabama, institution, Gillespie spent 2013-14 as Director of Athletic Training Administration and Mentoring at the University of Georgia where he was responsible for special projects as well as rendering sports medicine care to UGA student-athletes.

Gillespie, who has spoken at athletic training and sports medicine seminars from coast to coast, is considered the leading authority on sickle cell trait in the athlete. He also served on numerous athletic training committees at the state, district and national levels. Gillespie was president of the Alabama Athletic Trainers' Association and the Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association. In addition, he served as a member of the Alabama Athletic Trainers' Association Licensure Task Force and was a member and Vice-Chair of the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers for more than a decade. He was a member of the sports medicine team for track and field and the marathon at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

Among his many awards in the athletic training field are the National Athletic Trainers' Association Service Award, the Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association District Award, the Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association Educator Award and the National Athletic Trainers' Association Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. Gillespie was inducted into the Alabama Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame in 2008. The highest honor of his stellar career came in June 2012 when he was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame, an honor that exists to recognize the very best in the profession of athletic training.

"We are very fortunate to have someone with Chris' experience join our staff and lead our sports medicine department," ULM Deputy Athletics Director Rob Bernardi said. "Chris is a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame and is recognized as a leader in the industry. I know our student-athletes, coaches and staff will benefit greatly from his knowledge and expertise."

"I'm so excited to have Chris Gillespie here at ULM," head coach Terry Bowden said. "During my six years at Samford University, not only did Chris oversee our sports medicine program, but he initiated and directed the first accredited athletic training curriculum in the state of Alabama.

"We're so fortunate to talk him out of retirement where he had become one of the nation's leading speakers on sports medicine and related topics. With his wealth of knowledge, Chris will help ULM develop a sports medicine program that will be as fine as any in the Sun Belt Conference. Our student-athletes will receive the very best in medical care under his direction."

In 2003, Gillespie founded the non-profit ministry, TEAM 413, inspired by God's calling in his life. Even though he has had a very successful professional career in sports medicine, TEAM 413 is a passion – a labor of love for runners and other endurance athletes worldwide. Whether challenging others to walk a lap around a track or run a mile, change an attitude, or improve a relationship, he shares a message of hope, confidence, perseverance, courage, and strength. His goal is to exhibit in his own life and to impart to others the truth of his life verse, Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

His story is one of inspiration and hope. Gillespie shares his words of encouragement, God's grace, and overcoming trials to running groups, churches, sports teams and at marathons through a speaker series across the United States. He is the author of "Gracerunner – Faith on the Run" and "Grace-Words." His third book, "Back on Track", is expected to be completed in late 2022.

Gillespie received a bachelor's in education from Mississippi College in 1980. He worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at then Northeast Louisiana under Hall of Famer Charlie Martin from 1980-82 while earning a Master of Education.

A native of Pontotoc, Mississippi, Gillespie and his wife Kiki along with their dog Willie call Seacrest Beach, Florida, their permanent residence. They have three daughters, Morgan, Ashley and Johanna; a son, named Gerrit; and two granddaughters, Kinley and Peyton.

What They're Saying About Chris Gillespie
Steve Biondo, President of The Tim Tebow Foundation:
"God has put Chris on a unique journey. That journey has given him a powerful perspective on life and the deep matters of living well and free. He has been faithful to learn much from the journey. Getting close to Chris gets you up close to one of the most interesting men on the planet!"

Mark Richt, Former Georgia and Miami Head Football Coach:
"My friend, Chris Gillespie's love for his family, friends, athletes, and students is only surpassed by his love for and dedication to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Countless people have been blessed through his leadership, professionalism and knowledge."

Jeff Galloway, Olympian and World-Renowned Running Coach:
"Chris Gillespie is an inspiring person who has not allowed challenges keep him from achieving goals that very few in his profession have achieved. He has helped thousands of people improve the quality of their lives!"

Scott Anderson, University of Oklahoma Head Athletic Trainer:
"Chris Gillespie has established a tangible legacy that very few sports medicine professionals have achieved."

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Gillespie Named ULM Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine