NCCAA

Patrick Gilliam has a history of success both on and off the field as a player and a coach. Patrick was a four-year member of the Judson College men’s soccer team, earning All-Conference honors as a junior, and playing in two NCCAA National Tournament qualifiers. More recently, Coach Gilliam has built a women’s soccer program at Trinity International University (TIU) that succeeds with wins and awards, but also with its focus on people and Jesus.
 
With a career record of 289-118-21 (.700), Coach Gilliam is currently the third-winningest active coach in the NAIA. Under Patrick’s leadership the Trojans won the 1998 and 2004 NCCAA National Championships and earned six NAIA National Tournament appearances, winning three straight regional titles from 1999-2001. The Trojans have won three Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) regular season and five CCAC Tournament titles under Coach Gilliam’s watch.
 
In 2015, Patrick was also honored as the NCCAA North Central Regional Coach of the Year for the fourth time. During his time at TIU, Coach Gilliam has earned NCCAA National Coach of the Year (2004), CCAC Coach of the Year (1999), and NSCAA Midwest Region Coach of the Year (1999) awards. In December of 2014, Gilliam was selected as the recipient of the NCCAA Frank Jewell Award which is given in conjunction with the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association.
 
Coach Gilliam has seen his players enjoy success on and off the pitch over his 19 seasons. During that time, the TIU program has produced NCCAA National Players of the Year, conference and regional players of the year, All-Americans, and All-Conference honors. The Trojans have excelled just as much in the classroom with student-athletes being named NCCAA Scholar-Athletes and NAIA Scholar-Athletes, along with earning CCAC All-Academic Team awards. Additionally, the Trojans have won the past five CCAC Karl Boeck Conference Champions of Character awards, given to the team each season which displays the best sportsmanship in the CCAC.
 
“Coach Gilliam has built a program where people matter and Jesus comes first,” shares Jeanne Nielson, former player and coach on Gilliam’s staff. “Trinity soccer is a program where the soccer actually contributes to the growth of an eternal relationship with the God of the universe. Coach Gilliam’s impact on the lives of his players is substantial and purposeful and we are all grateful for the way he taught us to chase after and reflect Jesus in all we do for all the days we are given,” added Nielson.
 
"Patrick Gilliam is a simple example of a teacher, mentor, and coach. His heart to improve every aspect of the lives of his players is rare. Coupled with his competitive success, he offers his players the best of spiritual development and high level play. I best describe my respect for him by stating that if my son or daughter opted to play college soccer, my utmost desire would be that they play for Patrick,” stated Dan Wood, NCCAA Executive Director.