KARLA SHIRVINIAN | staff writer

Two children, five grandchildren, 13 national championships at Azusa Pacific University, 43 years coaching, and 11 years as Athletic Director for APU. Those are just some of the accomplishments of the former men’s basketball coach Bill Odell.

Odell came to APU with experience from several different avenues, including the high school level. Odell first coached Northview High in Covina and then spent 20 years at Milikan High in Long Beach.

Upon Odell’s arrival to APU, the Cougar athletic program needed improvement. “When I first got here it was a program that had some good programs and some bad programs. What I’ve seen is the advancement of all of our programs. I believe that all of our teams are capable of winning championships,” Odell said. When Odell took control, the Cougars went from being standout athletes in a few areas to an all around program that was strong in all areas.

“Bill raised the expectation for APU. Before we had some success in some programs, Bill raised the standard for our school,” men’s head basketball coach Justin Leslie said. At APU, Odell has seen 13 national championships. He has also seen countless boys become men and players become professionals. One of these men is Leslie who played for Odell for five years, was his assistant coach for another f ve years, and now works for Odell as head coach.

“I’ve learned everything. From a coaching perspective I learned basketball philosophy. More than basketball, it was an avenue to prepare you for success off the court,” Leslie said.

Not only has Odell changed the face of APU athletics, but also he has changed many lives. Odell has had the opportunity to see players grow into men and watch them prosper in their careers and families.“ He really helped me become not only the player, but the man I am today,” senior computer science major and senior guard Matt Oliver said.

Players and people he works with have described Odell as a quiet man, but he is more than just a quiet man. “He is a very personable and humorous man. He is also very kind. He is a loyal man and will also battle and fi ght for the people under his watch,” associate athletic director Gary Pine said. Odell models consistency in his coaching.

“From observation I think his two greatest strengths as a coach was that he had clear boundaries for his players but he did allow each player to be an individual. He was also extremely consistent; you know what you are going to get from him. That is good for players because they knew who they were going to get,” Pine said. As an athletic director, Odell has become a great motivator that does not only have people work for him but also has people work with him.

“He is a generous and supportive boss you can hope to work for. He is a tremendous rock to lean on when needed. His faith is so strong and he is a powerful leader by example and a great servant leader,” Leslie said.

This past year, Odell decided it was time to end his coaching career and focus on his duties as an athletic director, but the decision was one that had been long planned out. “I did not know last season was my last season. It was after praying about it and talking to my wife about it that I felt the Lord leading me,” Odell said.

Odell’s days have changed signify cantly from his double duty days as coach and athletic director. Afternoons that used to be filled with practice are now filled with meetings.

“I always tell people I do not have an excuse to get out of meetings. When I was coaching I was able to get out of a few meetings,” Odell said.

Odell is now involved in fundraising programs for athletics and more committee work. In these areas, Odell has set high goals for the future, such as improving athletic facilities, increasing scholarships and bringing water polo and swimming to the competitive level of other sports.

Odell has seen many of APU’s milestones including the building of the Felix Event Center, which is one of his personal highlights, as well as a pivotal time in the history of the Cougars. Now Odell looks forward to improving Cougars athletics. “The big change next is the women’s swimming and diving and the women’s water polo team.

I would like to see in the fairly near future to start men’s and women golf,” Odell said. Odell has grown in wisdom after 43 years coaching and 11 years as athletic director on how to truly get employees and players to do their best.

“The first thing is to not micromanage. Leadership is to empower people and to show them the confidence and not be looking over their shoulders,” Odell said. He also sees what he does as a tool for life outside of sports. “Athletics is a great way to teach. I believe young people learn better when they are passionate about something and the coaches use their passion to teach them lessons and values throughout their life,” Odell said. His job has brought him great opportunities both on and off the court. One of the things that Odell said was most exciting is to see play- ers who did not know God come to knowledge of Him. Odell has also found achievement in his duties as athletic director.

“I get a feeling a fulfillment when I can help other coaches reach their goals. However helping them might be, it is not helping them coach. It can be meeting a need or helping through a problem,”

Odell said. There is nothing defined or clearcut for Odell’s future. For now, he says he is simply seeing where time and God lead. “I don’t look at when my job will be over. Nothing definite, there are still things I want to accomplish here,” Odell said.