A Weekend Gathering for Christians
Working in College Athletics
For 10 years, ADs4Christ has been bringing together coaches, administrators and athletics directors for two days of worship, real conversation, and genuine encouragement from people who truly understand your world.
Connect. Worship. Be Encouraged.
2026 Speakers
Hear from leaders and professionals working throughout college athletics.
Greg Sankey
Greg Sankey became the eighth Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference on June 1, 2015, and has successfully led the SEC through a period of unprecedented success, growth, and change in college athletics. Known for his principled leadership and commitment to the student-athlete experience, Commissioner Sankey brings decades of experience and a profound faith-driven perspective to his work in collegiate sports.
We are honored to have him share his insights on leadership, faith, and navigating the complexities of modern college athletics at this year's Summer Gathering.
Dr. Micah Parker
Dr. Micah Parker is currently in his second stint as AD at California Baptist University, where he is leading the Lancers through a historic transition into the Big West Conference in 2026. Under his leadership, CBU has set new records across athletics, academics, and fundraising.
Having previously spoken to the ADs4Christ community, we are excited to welcome Dr. Parker back as he shares from his faith journey and what it means to trust God in every area of life.
Micah and his wife Amy have three children: Emma, Jonah, and Gracie.
Dr. Bhrett McCabe
Dr. Bhrett McCabe combines his championship experience as an athlete with his clinical training as a psychologist to help competitors and leaders perform at their best. He works with athletes across the PGA, LPGA, NFL, NBA, MMA, and NCAA, and serves as the consulting sports psychologist for the University of Alabama athletic department.
A 4-year letterman at LSU, he was a member of 2 National Championship teams and 3 College World Series teams before earning his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. He is also a published author and host of The Secrets to Winning podcast.
We are excited to welcome Dr. McCabe to Birmingham to speak into the unique challenges and opportunities facing athletic directors today.
Laird Veatch
Laird Veatch is in his first year as Director of Athletics at Missouri, and it has been anything but quiet. In 2024-25, the Tigers posted a second straight 10-win football season, returned to the NCAA Tournament in basketball, and saw three student-athletes win individual national championships.
A 25-year veteran of college athletics, Veatch previously served as AD at Memphis and has held leadership roles at Texas, Florida, Kansas State, and Iowa State. He is a former four-year letterman and team captain at Kansas State, where he played linebacker for Bill Snyder.
Laird and his wife Brandy have four children: Jordyn, Taylor, Sydney, and Dru.
Lennie Acuff
Lennie Acuff brings 35 seasons of head coaching experience to Samford, where he was named the 30th head coach in program history in April 2025. In his first season with the Bulldogs he posted an 18-14 record and coached SoCon Player of the Year Jadin Booth.
Before arriving in Birmingham, Acuff spent six seasons at Lipscomb University, guiding the Bisons to three straight 20-win seasons and the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Prior to that he spent 22 years building UAH into a Division II national power, finishing as the all-time winningest coach in Gulf South Conference history.
Known for his deep Christian faith and commitment to his players, Lennie and his wife Kelly have two children, Will and Molly.
Martin Newton
Martin Newton has led Samford Athletics since 2011, transforming the Bulldogs into one of the Southern Conference's most dominant programs. Under his watch, Samford has captured 88 SoCon regular season and tournament championships, won five straight Germann Cups for top women's program, and posted a 97 percent NCAA Graduation Success Rate, the highest in the state of Alabama.
A Samford alumnus, Newton currently serves on the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee and will chair the committee in 2026-27. He has overseen significant facility growth, corporate partnerships, and the development of the Samford Strong Leadership Academy, a program built around faith, character, and leadership.
Martin and his wife Cindy have three children and two grandsons.
Mac Lake
Mac Lake is a leader, author, and founder of Multiply Group, where he helps leaders and organizations develop strategies to multiply their impact. Known for simplifying complex ideas into practical, actionable steps, Mac has written seven books including The Multiplication Effect and The Discipling Leaders Series.
A pioneering voice in the church planting movement, Mac planted Carolina Forest Community Church in 1997 and has since served in leadership development roles at Seacoast Church and the North American Mission Board, where he helped build and implement a nationwide church planting system.
Mac and his wife Cindy live in Charleston, SC.
Dr. Eric Wood
Dr. Eric Wood brings 26 years of collegiate athletics experience to his current role at Ole Miss, where he serves as Senior Deputy AD overseeing external relations and business development. He joined the Rebels in January 2024 and has been part of an Ole Miss football program that reached the CFP semifinals while posting a school-record 13 wins in 2025.
Before Oxford, Wood served as Vice President and Director of Athletics at Louisiana Tech, where he oversaw record fundraising, more than $40 million in new facility construction, and a stretch where LA Tech was the only Division I school in the country to win conference titles in baseball, softball, men's basketball, and women's basketball within the same two-year span.
A Bronx native and Sacred Heart University graduate, Wood holds a Doctorate of Education in Sports Management from the University of Arkansas. He and his wife Celia have four children: Eliana, Nia, Alyssa, and Elijah.
Salvador Blanco
Salvador Blanco serves as Music Director at Iron City Church in Birmingham, where he leads congregational worship each week with authenticity and joy. A graduate of Beeson Divinity School, Salvador has a gift for creating space where people can encounter God through music and song.
We are grateful to have him lead worship right here in his own city at the 10th Annual Summer Gathering.
Salvador and his wife JonEllen are members of the Birmingham community.
If you've been before, you know.
If you haven't...
For 10 years, we've been bringing together Christians from across college athletics, D1, D2, D3, every department to worship together, encourage each other and be reminded that we're not alone in this calling.
Who is this for?
Anyone working in college athletics who loves Jesus. Whether you're an AD, coach, or working in operations, you belong here.
The Format
We're returning to our traditional format! A weekend focused entirely on fellowship, spiritual growth, and genuine connection.
The Impact
Leave refreshed, encouraged, and equipped with a support system of people who truly understand your world.
Conference Goals
01. Connect
Build relationships with Christians across every level and department of college athletics who truly understand the unique pressures and rewards of your calling.
02. Worship
Step away from the demands of your role and enter a space where you can worship freely, be still, and reconnect with the reason you do what you do.
03. Grow
Hear from speakers who have led through the same challenges you face and leave with practical wisdom, renewed perspective, and a deeper faith.
04. Encourage & Be Encouraged
You are not alone in this calling. This weekend exists to remind you of that - and to send you home with a community that has your back long after the weekend ends.
Changed Lives
Lauren Sisler
Cade Smith
Jeff Bussell
Jessica Lopez
Bret Butler
"This was the most encouraging weekend I've had in 20 years of college athletics. I left feeling renewed and reminded that I'm not alone in this calling."
"The relationships I've built through ADs for Christ have been life-changing. It's rare to find a room full of people who truly understand your world."
"I came expecting a conference. What I found was a family. The worship, the conversations, the vulnerability — it's unlike anything else in our industry."
Event Sponsors
Samford University
Join us on the beautiful campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Samford provides the perfect setting for a weekend of fellowship, worship, and renewal.
Official Hotel Block
We've secured a special group rate at the Courtyard by Marriott to make your stay comfortable, convenient, and connected to the community.
Courtyard by Marriott Birmingham Homewood
500 Shades Creek Pkwy
Homewood, AL 35209
- Special discounted group rate
- Just minutes from Samford University
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi & Fitness Center
- On-site Bistro & networking lounge
Rooms are limited. Book early to guarantee your rate!
Ticket Pricing
Choose the pass that works best for you. All tickets include access to main sessions, breakouts, and meals.
All-Access Pass
- Full conference access
- Friday dinner & Saturday lunch
- Conference materials & resources
Register Now
Join us June 26-27 in Birmingham, AL
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Everything you need to know about the 10th Annual Summer Gathering.