NJCAA mourns loss of George E. Killian

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – George E. Killian, who served as the first executive director of the NJCAA, died Wednesday, December 6th at the age of 93. Killian is regarded as one of the most influential leaders in the NJCAA's history and leaves behind an impressive legacy of service.

Killian began his career in the NJCAA as the athletic director and head men's basketball coach at Erie Community College (NY) in 1954. He was elected president of the NJCAA in 1967 and two years later was tabbed as the organization's first executive director – a post he held until 2004. His vision, dedication, and leadership helped establish the NJCAA as the second-largest national collegiate athletic organization in the United States. He was instrumental in fostering the organization's unique role in providing athletic and academic opportunities to student-athletes and lifted the NJCAA's men's basketball championship tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas, to national prominence.

Under his leadership and vision, the NJCAA became the first national collegiate athletic organization to add women's athletics in 1975. The NAIA and NCAA would follow the NJCAA's lead in adding women's athletics in 1980 and '81, respectively.

"With the passing of George E. Killian, the NJCAA has lost a historian, an advocate, a leader, a mentor and a friend," said former NJCAA Executive Director Mary Ellen Leicht, who worked under Killian's leadership for 15 years. "During his lifetime George served the NJCAA with a tireless passion, building the organization from the ground up and championing the cause of the two-year college student-athlete nationally and internationally. Personally and professionally, George was a friend until the very end, and I will miss him. My sincere condolences to his wife Marilyn and his extended family and loved ones."

In addition to his leadership with the NJCAA, Killian was a key figure on the international stage. From 1990-98, Killian served as the president of FIBA, the global governing body of basketball and was a prominent member of the board of directors for USA Basketball for 26 years. He also served on the United States Olympic Committee's Board of Directors from 1967-2004 as well as the International Olympic Committee from 1996-98. In 1999 he was elected president of FISU (International University Sports Federation) and served two terms before resigning in 2011.

Upon his retirement from the NJCAA in 2004, the association commissioned the George E. Killian Award of Excellence in 2006 to honor his dedication and service to two-year college athletics. The award is given out annually to members of the NJCAA Board of Directors that display the ideals of voluntarism, achievement, service, leadership, and excellence.

“The entire NJCAA family is saddened to hear of the loss of George Killian," said current NJCAA CEO Dr. Chris Parker. "Mr. Killian was a true pioneer and paved the way for hundreds of thousands of two-year college student-athletes. We are forever grateful for his leadership and ambition and his legacy will live on throughout our great association.”

Memorial plans for Killian have not been set. The NJCAA will announce further plans for honoring his legacy at a later date.