By Ron Smith
June 16, 2021
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) The Golden State Athletic Conference has announced that Westmont's Dave Odell has been named the GSAC Athletic Director of the Year. In a year filled with unprecedented challenges caused by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, Odell navigated the Warrior athletic program to a highly successful year despite the changing requirements and uncertainty of the 2020-21 athletic season.
 
"The GSAC was founded the year after my freshman season as a Westmont basketball player," recalled Odell. "Since then, my family has been connected to the conference in some way.  My sister, Susie Maga was an All-GSAC volleyball player and then assistant coach in the early 90's at Westmont.  My dad, Bill Odell was basketball coach and athletic director at Azusa Pacific. So, being honored by the GSAC is a true blessing given what it means with respect to my family's history in the conference."
 
"Dave Odell is the consummate professional," noted Westmont President Gayle Beebe. "He plans well, works incredibly effectively and achieves outstanding results. All the while ensuring the mission of the college is advanced and the student-athletes are given every opportunity to excel in both arenas: as a student and as an athlete. Beyond all the public records and results, Dave is also humble, generous, and a great embodiment of the best of Westmont. We celebrate with the GSAC in this acknowledgment and are so grateful that Dave could be recognized in this way."
 
During the 2020-21 season, Westmont athletic teams claimed five regular season GSAC championships (men's and women's basketball, volleyball, men's and women's soccer), won a GSAC tournament championships (men's soccer), advanced all 17 programs to postseason play and participated in 12 NAIA National Championships.
 
"Dave Odell represents the best of Westmont," noted Westmont acting provost Rick Ifland, "He is humble in his pursuit of excellence, steadfast in his beliefs, and engaged in every relationship. Dave sets the bar in our celebration first of the student, then of the athlete. He and his team did a remarkable job keeping our coaches and athletes both safe and competitive during a pandemic. This award is fitting, particularly this year, for Dave, who represents all that we stand for."
 
Two of the Warrior programs had particularly noteworthy success this year. Westmont women's basketball won their second national championship while the men's track and field team placed in fourth at the outdoor national championships – the highest finish in program history.
 
In addition, Westmont track and field athletes garnered three individual national championships. Zola Sokhela won the NAIA national championship in both the 800 and 1500 meter runs while Seth Wilmoth captured the title in pole vault with a Westmont record vault of 5.10 meters (16-8.75).
 
"I have long admired Dave's ability as a leader to creatively solve problems and the 2020-21 year provided ample opportunity to do just that," said Kirsten Moore, the NAIA Women's Basketball Coach of the Year. "Dave has an ability to take challenges head on with uncompromising character and honesty.

"His steady demeanor through all the ups and downs of COVID has helped our coaches navigate the process with our teams to keep our athletes safe while also being able to compete at the sports we love. His leadership as athletic director here at Westmont has led us to extraordinary success not just in the athletic arena but more importantly in the development of our student-athletes as well-rounded people prepared to make a positive impact when they graduate from Westmont."
 
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Westmont hosted four NAIA Opening Round events under Odell's leadership. The Warriors served as national tournament hosts for men's and women's soccer, volleyball and baseball.
 
"This has been one of the most challenging years in collegiate athletics that I have experienced and I can confidently say that Dave was instrumental in guiding Westmont athletics through it," said Robert Ruiz, head coach for Westmont Baseball. "His ability to creatively navigate the challenges that COVID presented while always prioritizing the health and safety of our students and staff was exemplary.
 
"Many looked to him for guidance throughout the season and our department benefitted from his problem solving skills and strong commitment to the mission of the college and department.
 
"What I valued most about Dave this year was his unwavering commitment to making the year as normal as possible for our athletes in the midst of so much change and uncertainty. He exemplified a love for and commitment to the student-athlete experience here at Westmont and we all benefited from it.
 
"The success that was achieved this year in our department, including a national championship in women's basketball, would not have happened without the commitment of our athletic director who worked tirelessly behind the scenes from start to finish."
 
"In this crazy COVID year, this award is a team award," insisted Odell. "Our sports information department, athletic training staff and associate AD's deserve recognition. In particular, our assistant athletic director of operations, Trisha Beaudin, kept us on the field as she led our COVID testing plan in addition to all of the other tasks in her job".
 
Odell has served as Westmont's athletic director since January of 2009. Under his leadership, Westmont has won the GSAC All-Sports Award eight consecutive times. With Odell at the helm, Warrior teams have won 25 regular season championships and 18 GSAC tournament titles, and the cross country and track and field teams have combined for an additional 13 GSAC championships.