Trinity's Gilliam inducted into NCCAA Hall of Fame
Trinity International University Head Soccer Coach Patrick Gilliam was inducted into the National Christian College Athletic Association Hall of Fame during the association's Hall of Fame Banquet at the NCCAA Annual Convention June 2.
Gilliam was one of two inductees in the Class of 2016, and the first representative from Trinity ever to be included into the NCCAA Hall of Fame.
"I am incredibly humbled by this news and so appreciative to the NCCAA," Gilliam said. "Both as a student athlete and now as a coach, I have worked very closely with this organization for many years now, and have a tremendous respect and appreciation for their leaders, philosophy, and vision for the integration of faith and sport."
Gilliam has a history of success both on and off the field as a player and a coach.
He was a four-year member of the Judson College men's soccer team, earning All-Conference honors as a junior and playing in two NCCAA National Tournament qualifiers. More recently, Gilliam has built a women's soccer program at Trinity that succeeds with wins and awards, but also with a Christ-centered focus on players and the community.
"Patrick Gilliam is a simple example of a teacher, mentor, and coach," NCCAA Executive Director Dan Wood said. "His heart to improve every aspect of the lives of his players is rare. Coupled with his competitive success, he offers his players the best of spiritual development and high-level play.
"I best describe my respect for him by stating that if my son or daughter opted to play college soccer, my utmost desire would be that they play for Patrick," Wood added.
With a career record of 289-118-21 (.700), Gilliam is currently the second-winningest active women's coach in the NAIA. Under his leadership, the Trojans won the 1998 and 2004 NCCAA National Championships and earned six NAIA National Tournament appearances, winning three straight regional titles from 1999-2001.
The Trojans have won three Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season and five CCAC Tournament titles under Gilliam's leadership.
Gilliam has served 19 years as coach. He was named the 2004 NCCAA National Coach of the Year and was a four-time NCCAA North Central Region Coach of the Year selection.
In his tenure, the TIU women's soccer program has produced two NCCAA National Players of the Year, 15 NCCAA All-Americans, and 23 NAIA All-Americans. His teams have won a host of conference awards, including 44 CCAC All-Conference honors.
In the classroom, Trinity student-athletes under Gilliam's coaching have earned 37 CCAC All-Academic Team awards, 14 NCCAA Scholar-Athlete choices, and 52 NAIA Scholar-Athlete selections.
Gilliam will open his 20th season with Trinity Aug. 26 when the women's team travels to face Spring Arbor (Michigan.).
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