Advertisement

Providence Hires New Athletics Director

Share:

Russell Willms Crop1
Russell Willms, the new athletics director at Providence University College. Kevin Friesen

An alumnus of Providence University College has returned to the school as their new Director of Athletics. Russell Willms is set to replace Scott Masterson as head of the Providence Pilots.

Willms graduated from Providence in 2001 and then graduated from the Seminary in 2004. While studying at Providence, he was a member of the men’s soccer team.

After graduation, Willms began a career in the world of sport. From 2003 to 2007, he was an assistant coach for the women’s soccer program at the University of Manitoba. In 2008, Willms moved to Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) to take over as their Director of Athletics and head coach of the men’s soccer team.

During his time at CMU, Willms launched the 2014 Copa de la Paz Futsal tournament. This tournament served as the introduction of futsal to the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC). The sport has now become an officially sponsored MCAC sport.

Willms was also part of the leadership team that brought the MCAC conference to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). After navigating this union, he took on the role as an MCAC representative on the CCAA board of directors and served as the VP Technical in the MCAC from 2016 to 2021.

In 2017, Willms entered the CMU Blazers basketball teams into the Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NIAC). Both the Blazers and the Providence Pilots remain part of the NIAC to this day.

In 2021, Willms left CMU to return to his home province and a position at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus (UBCO). While at UBCO, Willms oversaw all aspects of the student-athlete experience, including athletic therapy, strength and conditioning, nutrition, mental performance, and sport scheduling.

“I am happy and proud to have the opportunity to return to Providence and to step into this role,” Willms says. “As a Providence alumnus, I have keenly watched the growth and success of the Pilots programs, especially over the past decade, and I am excited to contribute to the Providence tradition and the wide-stretching community impact that the Pilots have.”

Masterson is just as happy to see Willms take over the position.

“We are thrilled to have someone with Russell’s experience and proven success to lead our athletics program,” says Masterson. “Russell is very familiar with our institution and athletics program and will bring a lot of energy and vision to the department. His experience within the MCAC, CCAA, and USports will also make this a seamless transition and we are looking forward to the positive impact and leadership that Russell will bring to the Providence Pilots.”

Masterson, who has taken over as the school’s Vice-President of Operations, will oversee Willms and the entire athletics program. Masterson and Willms have worked closely together in the past and are each widely respected in their leadership across collegiate sport in Manitoba. Together they believe they can grow Providence athletics into a leading program in the CCAA.

Advertisement
More SPORTS & RECREATION

Nighthawks Launch Season Ticket Drive

The Niverville Nighthawks have begun their season ticket drive for the upcoming 2023–24 season. Season tickets are priced at $335 for adults and $190 for students/children. With more than 400...

Read more

The Niverville Nighthawks have begun their season ticket drive for the upcoming 2023–24 season. Season tickets are priced at $335 for adults and $190 for students/children. With more than 400...

Read more

Fast and Gagnon Take Home Awards

A couple of best buds from Niverville and Ste. Agathe received awards at the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League (MMJHL) awards banquet on May 17. Hayden Fast (Niverville) and Denis Gagnon (Ste...

Read more

A couple of best buds from Niverville and Ste. Agathe received awards at the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League (MMJHL) awards banquet on May 17. Hayden Fast (Niverville) and Denis Gagnon (Ste...

Read more
Advertisement

Junior Pilots Off to Nationals

The Junior Pilots 15U Navy girls volleyball team out of Otterburne are on a roll and headed to nationals after recently finishing second overall at the 26-team provincial championships. During...

Read more

The Junior Pilots 15U Navy girls volleyball team out of Otterburne are on a roll and headed to nationals after recently finishing second overall at the 26-team provincial championships. During...

Read more

Local Player Wins Silver at Indigenous Hockey Nationals

Niverville’s Ginger Fast has won a silver medal with Team Manitoba at the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC), held this past week at the Seven Oaks Arena in Winnipeg. The NAHC...

Read more

Niverville’s Ginger Fast has won a silver medal with Team Manitoba at the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC), held this past week at the Seven Oaks Arena in Winnipeg. The NAHC...

Read more
Advertisement

CRRC to Host First Pickleball Tournament

Pickleball seems to be having a moment and the CRRC in Niverville is a great place to fall in love with the sport—or, if you’re already in love, hone your skills. This Saturday, May 13,...

Read more

Pickleball seems to be having a moment and the CRRC in Niverville is a great place to fall in love with the sport—or, if you’re already in love, hone your skills. This Saturday, May 13,...

Read more

Prov Hosts Annual Athletics Award Banquet

The Providence Pilots’s annual athletic awards banquet took place on April 12, and this year the organization had a bevy of people to recognize. The event honoured the coaching careers of three...

Read more

The Providence Pilots’s annual athletic awards banquet took place on April 12, and this year the organization had a bevy of people to recognize. The event honoured the coaching careers of three...

Read more
Advertisement

Fundraising Social to Boost Ste. Agathe Arena

A community social is being held at the Ste. Agathe Arena on May 13 for the Raise the Stick campaign, which is raising money for facility repairs. The event is part of a campaign hoping to raise...

Read more

A community social is being held at the Ste. Agathe Arena on May 13 for the Raise the Stick campaign, which is raising money for facility repairs. The event is part of a campaign hoping to raise...

Read more
Time until next issue
Citizen Poll

In the wake of public outcry against an abattoir in Ste. Agathe, to what degree do you think elected council members should allow public sentiment to influence their decisions?

For related article, see www.nivervillecitizen.com/...