Michelle York named Academy athletic director

Veteran coach and athletics administrator and former Ole Miss volleyball player Michelle York, athletic director at Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been named Lipscomb Academy athletic director head of school Greg Glenn announced today.

Kim Chaudoin | 03/28/2019

York has served as director of athletics at Heritage Christian School for the last seven years and as assistant athletic director for five years prior to that. In this role she oversees 18 high school sports, 17 middle school sports and over 100 coaches. During her tenure as athletic director, Michelle led Heritage Christian into a new conference and managed an athletics program that produced exceptional athletes, including McDonald's All-Americans and number of student athletes who were successful at the collegiate level, and several state championships. Additionally, York directed the implementation of a major $1.2 million athletics facilities plan (2018-2020) that Heritage is in the process of implementing.

In addition, she has been head high school volleyball coach at Heritage Christian for the last 16 years, winning more than 280 games. She is an Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee (2017), was named National Christian School Athletic Association Volleyball Coach of the Year (2013); and was named ICGSA South Volleyball Coach of the Year (2006, 2007).

“I am very excited to be part of the Lipscomb Academy community and to be part of a thriving athletics program that is making an impact on the lives of students,” said York. “I believe that God has led me here at this time to a place with an intentionally Christian mission that believes strongly in using sports to be an avenue to impact lives for Christ. It’s just so important that coaches and families understand that and that we are teaching those life lessons that we know come through sports whether those are character traits, teamwork, work ethic, kindness, sportsmanship and doing that with a lens of Christianity so that when they walk out our doors at Lipscomb they will be the best people they can be when they head into the world. Lipscomb Academy is a community that has a high value on using athletics as a teaching tool for faith and for life.”

A native of Memphis, York attended SkyView Academy where she played softball, basketball and volleyball. Upon graduation she attended the University of Mississippi to play NCAA Division I volleyball and competed with USA Elite Volleyball and Athletes in Action. She served as an assistant volleyball coach at the University of Mississippi for eight years and as head volleyball coach at Christian Brothers University, where she also served as senior women’s administrator and NCAA compliance officer. Michelle has a Bachelor of Science degree in health and wellness from the University of Mississippi and is a Certified Master in Athletic Administration through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.

“Michelle’s experience gives her a unique knowledge and understanding of athletics from the perspective of a player, coach and administrator,” said Greg J. Glenn, Lipscomb Academy head of school. “This experience along with her passion for using athletics as a platform for Christ, her commitment to our mission and her enthusiasm for students will be beneficial as she leads the Mustang Athletics Program. We look forward to the ways Michelle will lead this program, continue to build on its long success and to engage with those who have been a part of our athletics programs in years past.”

York and her husband, Greg, have three children, Hunter, a Lipscomb University graduate; Kegan, a senior at Lipscomb University; and Kaelan, who will graduate from Heritage Christian this spring She will begin her work at Lipscomb Academy on June 24.

“Michelle has made a significant impact on Heritage Athletics and within the Indiana athletics community, as well as contributing to the overall leadership of the school,” said Jeff Freeman, Heritage Christian CEO. “Her leadership abilities and mission-mindedness will be sorely missed. While it will be difficult to say goodbye to Michelle, we know that God has been in control of every step of her decision process.”

York succeeds Mike Roller, longtime Lipscomb Academy athletic director and former Mustang boys’ basketball coach, will will retire in May following a 34-year career at the school. During this time Roller also served as head coach of the Lipscomb Academy varsity boys’ basketball team from 1985-1991 and 1996-2003, and was head boys’ tennis coach from 1985-1996 in addition to serving as director of admissions for a number of years. Roller also served as assistant men’s basketball coach at Lipscomb University from 1983-85 and 1991-96.

During Roller’s 12-year tenure as athletic director, the Lipscomb Academy added a number of athletic programs including swimming and hockey at the high school level and baseball, bowling, golf, softball and tennis programs at the middle school level. Roller also oversaw major expansion of Lipscomb Academy athletics facilities with the addition of the Griffith Family Soccer Complex, the installation of an NCAA D-I track at the football field complex, the construction of the McCadams Athletic Center, facilities upgrades at the baseball field, a remodeling of the football locker room area and the addition of two state-of-the-art fitness facilities. Also during this time span the Mustang athletic program notched six team state championships and 32 individual state championships.

Learn more information about the Lipscomb Academy athletic program.