Tracie Gillette has served as the Head Coach of OKWU’s volleyball program since 2010.
Gillette, a Wyoming native, attended what was then Bartlesville Wesleyan College from 1993 to 1998, graduating with a degree in physical education. She was a standout for the Eagles volleyball program during her time as a student. Before returning to coach at OKWU, she taught and coached volleyball for Bartlesville High School for eight years.
As head coach of OKWU, Gillette has accumulated over 350 career wins and has her sights set on the 400-win mark. In 2014-15, she led OKWU to a 34-14 record and earned MCAC Coach of the Year honors. In 2019-20, Gillette was named the KCAC Coach of Character, and in 2020 she was honored as the NCCAA Central Coach of the Year. In both 2020 and 2021, the Lady Eagles reached the Final Four of the KCAC Tournament.
In 2023, Gillette led her team to another historic year. Winning both the KCAC Regular Season Championship and the KCAC Tournament Championship, the Lady Eagles went on to win the Texas Wesleyan Regional and make their first appearance at the NAIA Volleyball National Tournament Final Site in Sioux City, Iowa. With back to back years at the Final Site of the National Tournament, Gillette led her team to another KCAC Regular Season, Tournament Championship & Regional Championship in 2024.
While Gillette pushes her athletes to perform at a high level, she also wants her program to make a more lasting impact.
“Our goal is for all our players to leave OKWU being the best human beings they can be,” she said. “We hope that each one is transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ and will go out to spread the Good News. Volleyball is just a tool to help foster their personal growth.”
