Grace’s Briscoe Honored as CL Athletic Director of the Year
JACKSON, Mich. – The Crossroads League announced on Wednesday that Grace’s Chad Briscoe had been named the Crossroads League Athletic Director of the Year for the fifth time and the third time in the past five years.
“I am honored to receive this award. It is a direct reflection of the incredible coaches and student-athletes at Grace who pursue Christian excellence every day,” said Briscoe. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity we have at Grace College to represent Christ through athletics. It is also a privilege to serve alongside such dedicated Athletic Directors across the league. They are not only highly skilled professionals but also valued friends who help make the Crossroads League well-respected at the national level.”
Under Briscoe’s leadership in 2024-2025, the Lancers finished fourth in the Crossroads League All-Sports Standings for their best finish in program history. The accomplishment was fueled by 12 teams finishing inside the top-half of the league, which included five top-three finishes and Crossroads League Championships in men’s tennis and men’s basketball. Additionally, Grace sent eight teams to compete at NAIA National Championships, while its men’s basketball and volleyball programs hosted NAIA Opening Round Championships.
Briscoe also oversaw multiple on-campus facility improvements, including new team rooms for the GC softball, men’s soccer and women’s soccer programs and a renovation of the Lancers’ baseball stadium.
Briscoe also saw the Lancers do tremendous work in the classroom yet again, with 20 teams set to earn NAIA Scholar-Team recognition after posting collective grade-point averages of 3.0 and above during the 2024-2025 year.
In addition to his outstanding work at Grace, Briscoe also served as the President of the NAIA’s National Administrative Council (NAC) and was on the NAIA Men’s Basketball Selection Committee. For his service, Briscoe was presented with an Award of Merit from the NAIA.
The Crossroads League Athletic Director-of-the-Year honor is voted on by the 10 Athletic Directors from the Crossroads League and announced each summer.
Crossroads League Athletic Director of the Year Recipients
2024-2025 – Chad Briscoe, Grace
2023-2024 – Steve Downing, Marian
2022-2023 – Steve Downing, Marian
2021-2022 – Chad Briscoe, Grace
2020-2021 – Chad Briscoe, Grace
2019-2020 – Mark DeMichael, Indiana Wesleyan
2018-2019 – Mark DeMichael, Indiana Wesleyan
2017-2018 – Josh Gleason, Goshen
2016-2017 – Chad Briscoe, Grace
2015-2016 – Mark DeMichael, Indiana Wesleyan
2014-2015 – Mark DeMichael, Indiana Wesleyan
2013-2014 – Lori Culler, Huntington
2012-2013 – Tim Demant, Goshen
2011-2012 – Mark DeMichael, Indiana Wesleyan
2010-2011 – Angie Fincannon, Taylor
2009-2010 – Chad Briscoe, Grace