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.