Keith Gill
Director of Athletics
Coach Info:
Position: Director of Athletics
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
Alma Mater: Duke
Graduating Year: 1994
Phone: 804.289.8694
Email:
athleticdirector@richmond.edu
Photos:
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President Edward L. Ayers announced November 5, 2012 Keith Gill as the University of Richmond's director of athletics. Gill, 40, has served as director of athletics and recreation at American University since June 2007.
In five years at American, Gill led the athletic department to unprecedented heights, highlighted by 25 team conference championships, 16 individual conference champions and 25 All-Americans. In Gill's first season in 2007-08, the men's basketball team, coached by Jeff Jones, won the Patriot League title, earning the school's first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. The Eagles repeated the feat in 2008-09. Three other teams, men's cross country, field hockey and volleyball were crowned Patriot League champions during Gill's first year.
AU's more than 250 student-athletes have flourished in the classroom, as well. Under Gill's guidance, the Eagles' 16 teams have earned a combined grade point average over 3.0 for 23 consecutive semesters. In 2011-12, 121 student-athletes were named to the university's Dean's List as the department posted a 3.36 combined GPA.
Gill's vast experience in college athletics includes two stints at the NCAA, as well as senior athletic administration positions at the University of Oklahoma and Vanderbilt University.
"Keith brings to Richmond an outstanding record of ensuring competitive success and student-athlete success," said President Ayers. "His own experience as a student-athlete; his work at the NCAA; and his leadership in the Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, and American programs have given him a broad perspective on intercollegiate Athletics. He is widely regarded for his leadership, integrity, and commitment to student-athletes, and I look forward to working with him to build on the remarkable achievements and overall excellence of Spider Athletics."
Gill inherits an athletic program with more than 350 student-athletes competing primarily in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Football and women's golf are members of the Colonial Athletic Association. Since 2000, Spider teams have captured 45 conference titles. The 2008 football team won the Division I National Championship.
"Tiffany and I are so very happy about our new home at the University of Richmond," said Gill. "I want to thank President Ayers, Provost Allred, and the entire search committee for offering me this wonderful opportunity. I'm honored to become part of this institution with its rich academic and athletic traditions. I cannot wait to get started."
Prior to his arrival at American, Gill spent three years at Oklahoma as senior associate athletics director. He oversaw a major portion of OU athletics, including men's basketball, women's soccer and baseball, and the supervision of personnel, budgets, facilities, fundraising, student-athlete issues and the selection and evaluation of coaches for those sports. He worked with the athletic director and staff in overseeing the strategic and annual planning process for the department.
Gill was the director of membership services at the NCAA from 2000-04. He developed and communicated policies related to Division I intercollegiate athletics, including governance, rules compliance, diversity, gender equity, academic integrity, student-athlete welfare, fiscal integrity, strategic planning, sportsmanship and legislation. He oversaw and ensured the effective operation of the athletics certification program, and managed a staff of 35 who provided education and guidance to Division I institutions conducting their periodic self-studies. Gill began his career in intercollegiate athletics with his first stint at the NCAA from 1995-99 as a membership services representative.
At Vanderbilt in 1999 and 2000, Gill was an assistant athletic director, working to implement the annual planning process to help 16 athletics teams achieve their academic and competitive goals. He worked with the National Commodore Club, major gifts, media relations and marketing and supported the Vanderbilt board of trustees by working with the athletics committee.
Gill, who will officially begin his duties December 11, 2012, succeeds Jim Miller, who remains at Richmond in the newly-created position of special assistant to the president for athletic advancement. Miller served as Director of Athletics since 2000.
Gill is a graduate of Duke University, as is his partner, Tiffany Speaks, who is American's Senior Director of the Center for Diversity & Inclusion. Gill was a four-year football letter-winner at Duke. The Orlando, Fla. native earned his masters degree from the University of Oklahoma.
KEITH GILL THROUGH THE YEARS
1994 Graduate of Duke University2006 Masters Degree from the University of Oklahoma
1995-1999: NCAA - Membership Services Representative
1999-2000: Vanderbilt University - Assistant Athletic Director
2000-2004: NCAA - Director of Membership Services
2004-2007: Oklahoma University - Senior Associate Athletic Director
2007-2012: American University - Director of Athletics and Recreation
2012-present: University of Richmond - DIrector of Athletics
- Elected Vice Chair NCAA Division I Council, February 2015
- Co-Chair NCAA Transfer Issues Ad Hoc Working Group, March 2015
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT KEITH GILL
Jeff Jones, American University Head Men's Basketball Coach
"I am certainly familiar with the University of Richmond, so when Keith asked me about the school and the position, I didn't hesitate in telling him Richmond would be the perfect situation for him - with academics and athletics.
"Both as a person and as an athletic director, Keith is an extremely positive individual. He is not a guy who thinks, 'we can't do that'. Instead, he says, 'how can we accomplish what we want to do'? He did a fantastic job at AU. He moved the needle and really made a difference. Keith has great energy that will be contagious to everyone around him. He will be very visible but he's not looking to get attention. He's a great listener. And as a coach, I can tell you he will do everything he can for the coaches to be successful and the student-athletes to have the best experience possible."
Carolyn Schlie Femovich, Patriot League Executive Director
"Keith Gill is an accomplished and talented athletic administrator. He has provided excellent leadership for the athletic department at American and developed important relationships with their academic community. Keith has been a strong contributor to the governance of the Patriot League and advancement of the League nationally. We congratulate Keith on this new opportunity at Richmond and know that he will bring great vision and leadership to their athletic programs."
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