CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Cascade Collegiate Conference announced the recipient of the 2024-25 CCC Coach of Character of the Year award. Kyle Will, Bushnell University’s head Cross Country and Track and Field coach earned the honor.
Coaches who represent the NAIA’s core values—Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership—were nominated and selected by the conference’s athletic directors, and Will has consistently exemplified these core values.
In just two years leading Bushnell’s cross country and track and field programs, Will has reshaped the culture of four teams and more than 60 student-athletes. His work reflects the heart of the CCC’s Champions of Character initiative and exemplifies Bushnell’s Tri-Athlete Model, which emphasizes academic success, character development, and athletic achievement in equal measure. During his leadership the programs have seen remarkable improvements in GPA, team size, retention, and overall student engagement.
Under Will’s guidance, the Beacon teams have become known not only for athletic growth but also for deep community involvement. His athletes routinely exceed Bushnell’s service expectations, contributing to initiatives like campus move-in day, food drives, and support for local shelters, foster care programs, and community races. On average, each student-athlete logs more than 20 hours of service annually.
Will’s influence extends into the classroom, where he serves as an instructor in Bushnell’s Athletic Management Master’s program. There, he has become a beloved mentor to both athletes and non-athletes alike, modeling the very values he instills in his teams.
Coach Will’s commitment to a student-first approach has rebuilt Bushnell’s programs through transformative leadership to exemplify what it means to be a Coach of Character.