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J. Linders

Jason Linders

Jason Linders was appointed Director of Athletics at Gordon College on April 1, 2024. In his first full year leading the Fighting Scots, the department achieved its highest finish in the Learfield Directors' Cup standings—231st nationally and seventh among institutions in the Conference of New England (CNE)—marking Gordon’s first national ranking since 2021–22. His leadership has ushered in a period of growth, innovation, and more intentional campus and community engagement for Gordon Athletics. 

First-Year Highlights: 

  • Apparel Partnership: Negotiated a five-year partnership with adidas via Collins Sports Center, enhancing Gordon’s athletic brand and outfitting all varsity teams. 

  • Campus & Community Engagement: In collaboration with Student Life and campus leadership, new traditions include Move-In Day, Faculty Appreciation Event, Athletics Chapel, and Senior Graduation Celebration. The department also participated in community events such as the Harvest Festival, Senator Tarr’s Toy Drive, and Christmas at Gordon. 

  • Fundraising Success: Partnered with Advancement to restructure the Clash of the Tartans Day of Giving, which surpassed $350,000 for the first time in program history. Fourteen teams exceeded their fundraising goals. 

  • Corporate Sponsorships: Expanded the Corporate Partnership Program by adding sponsors such as Chick-fil-A, Metz Dining Services, Collins Sports, Super Sub Shop, and Joseph’s Transportation. 

  • Facility Enhancements: Key upgrades including new lighting at Brigham Stadium and the Bennett Center Pool, resurfacing and rebranding of the tennis courts, new outfield windscreens at the baseball and softball fields, and a new Chick-fil-A-sponsored scoreboard at J. Tec White Baseball Field. 

  • Strategic Planning: Led the development of a four-year strategic plan (2025–2029) aligned with Gordon’s institutional priorities. The plan outlines six focus areas central to a Faith-Based Athletics Experience: 
        Faith, Learning & Living 
        Student-Athlete Well-Being and Performance 
        Competitive Excellence 
        Stewardship 
        Campus and Community Engagement 
        Commitment to Shalom 

  • Staff Expansion: In collaboration with campus partners, helped create hybrid positions to support systems and process improvement, donor relations, revenue generation, and recruiting. 

  • Facility Branding: Partnered with the Gordon Design Center to rebrand the Athletics suite in the Bennett Center. 

  • Coaching Hires: Recruited seven new head coaches in baseball, field hockey, men’s lacrosse, softball, swimming, and volleyball. 

In 2024–25, 10 of Gordon’s 24 varsity teams advanced to postseason play. Notable accomplishments included: 

  • Women’s Soccer: NCAA Championship appearance—their first since 2021. 

  • Women’s Indoor Track & Field: Finished 64th nationally at the NCAA Championships. 

  • Women’s Outdoor Track & Field: Won the CNE Championship and placed 52nd at the NCAA Championships. 

  • Women’s Rowing: Captured the ACRA National Championship in the Women’s 2x—becoming the first program in ACRA history to win three consecutive titles in that event. The team also medaled at the Dad Vail Regatta (gold in V4+, bronze in V4x) and finished third in the V4 at the New England Rowing Championships. 

An 18-year veteran of collegiate athletics administration, Linders previously served as Director of Athletics and High School Operations for Southbridge Public Schools and as Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations at Chicago State University. 

At Grand Canyon University (2015-2020), Linders served as Senior Associate Athletics Director and Chief Diversity Officer, helping lead the institution’s transition to NCAA Division I. There, he supervised seven varsity programs, managed student-athlete services, and advanced holistic development initiatives. Key achievements included: 

  • Three consecutive WAC Academic Excellence Awards 

  • Eleven teams with perfect NCAA APR scores (1000); 18 teams with scores above 970 

  • 84% Graduation Success Rate (GSR)—a 24% improvement since 2015 

  • Over 40% growth in student-athlete development programming, including L.O.P.E.S. For Life, Building Champions Leadership Academy, and the Lopey Awards 

  • 67% increase in recorded community service hours 

At the University of South Florida (2009–2015), Linders served as Associate Athletics Director for Academics. During his tenure: 

  • The department posted a record 83% Graduation Success Rate 

  • GSR for African American (75%) and Hispanic (86%) student-athletes exceeded national averages 

  • The football program ranked 3rd in the American Athletic Conference and 25th nationally in NCAA APR 

Linders began his career in athletics administration at UNLV, serving as Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services. Before that, he spent eight years as a collegiate football coach at institutions including Montana State University, Millsaps College, Southern Utah University, University of Nevada, and California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. 

                                        


Linders currently serves on the NCAA Division III Cross Country and Track & Field Sport Committee and the Conference of New England Executive Committee. His previous service includes the NCAA Division I Committee on Academics and the MIAA Tennis Sport Committee. He is a graduate of: 

  • NCAA New AD Orientation 

  • NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute 

  • N4A Professional Development Institute (PDI) 

  • TopConnect AD Leadership Symposium 

Linders is a Certified Athletic Administrator through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). 

Linders holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Science in Kinesiology from Cal Poly Humboldt. 

He and his wife, Heather, have three daughters: Kalani, Carlee (both attending Arizona State University), and Kamea.Â