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Now in his eighth year as the Athletic Director, Alex Ricker-Gilbert has overseen growth and stability during a unique time period at both JU and in college athletics in general.
Recently named Athletics Director of the Year for the Division I-AAA level by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), he was recognized for his leadership of the department through the COVID-19 pandemic, which say the remainder of the spring sports seasons canceled in 2020 and no sports played that fall, until safely returning to action with basketball season in November and capturing championships in men's soccer, women's lacrosse and baseball and also sending individuals in women's track & field and men's golf to the NCAA Championships.
He also serves as the chair of the NCAA Legislative Committee, officially stepping into that role in July of 2021. His responsibilities in that role include providing leadership to the subcommittee of the Division I Council, whose primary task is to review and make recommendations to the Council regarding the merits of proposals developed through the shared governance process (conferences and Council committees). The Legislative Committee also provides feedback to autonomy conferences regarding the impact of autonomy proposals on the entire Division I membership.
Ricker-Gilbert was elevated to Senior Vice President and Athletic Director in July of 2018 after originally ascending to the role of AD on May 1, 2016.
One of his major initiatives early in his tenure as Athletic Director was the creation and implementation of a distinct set of Core Values for JU Athletics. Serving as just one example of his vigorous work to change the culture, the Core Values have elevated the day-to-day approach and collaboration within the department.
On the external side, JU Athletics has taken great strides forward under Ricker-Gilbert’s leadership. During his first year alone, the department saw a 23 percent increase in overall giving, an over 700 percent increase in unique donors, a 56 percent increase in sponsorship revenue, a 29 percent increase in ticketing revenue and a 15 percent increase in overall attendance. He has helped form impactful exclusivity partnerships with Nike/BSN (official apparel provider), Baptist Health and Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute (official healthcare provider), Learfield Licensing Partners, Baron (official ring provider), Papa John’s (official pizza of JU Athletics) and Bono’s Bar-B-Q (official bar-b-q of JU Athletics).
Through his student-centered approach, JU Athletics has created an elite-level holistic experience for Dolphin student-athletes. Recent enhancements under Ricker-Gilbert’s direction include a new academic center and additional academic support staff, updated equipment in athletic training and the weight room, and partnerships with the Dietitians of Palm Valley (the Director of Performance Nutrition for the Jacksonville Jaguars), CRYOtherapy JAX, and a dedicated sports performance coach. Additionally, Ricker-Gilbert helped secure a significant private contribution that fully funded the first-ever nutritional station for Dolphin student-athletes, JU Fuel. He also worked tirelessly to secure the funds that catapulted the development of the Jacksonville Lacrosse Center (JLC), the largest of its kind in the nation.
The investment in JU's student-athletes has paid off with outstanding success both in and out of the classroom. Jacksonville University was awarded the ASUN Presidents' Academic Trophy for the 2017-18 academic year following a record breaking performance in the classroom by the Dolphins and the rest of the league as a whole. All 19 of Jacksonville's teams recorded a 3.0 GPA or higher for the 2017-18 academic year, marking the first time in department history. Additionally, 17 teams improved their GPA from the 2016-17 academic year, 12 teams achieved their highest semester GPA during the 2017-18 academic year, and nine teams reached their highest GPA ever. In total, Jacksonville student-athletes combined for a 3.30 departmental GPA for the 2017-18 academic year.
Of Jacksonville's 256 student-athletes competing in the ASUN, a record 80.80 percent (216) achieved a 3.0 GPA or better for the 2017-18 academic year, while 47.66 percent (122) recorded a 3.5 GPA or better. Additionally, 22 student-athletes across 14 teams boasted a 4.0 GPA for the year. Among the Dolphins' student-athletes on ASUN-sponsored teams, a record 80.80 percent (184) were named to the ASUN Honor Roll during the 2017-18 academic year.
In the field of competition, the 2016-17 academic year was full of impressive team accomplishments, including a trio of NCAA Tournament or Championship appearances (women's lacrosse, women's rowing, men's golf), invitations to play in both the CIT (men's basketball) and WNIT (women's basketball), two conference championship titles (women's lacrosse, women's rowing), and two conference regular season titles (men's soccer, women's lacrosse). Additionally, baseball and men's soccer reached the conference tournament final, while men's lacrosse reached the Southern Conference Tournament semifinals for the first time in program history.
Building on that success, the 2017-18 academic year provided some fireworks of its own, with a quartet of team NCAA Tournament or Championship appearances (baseball, women's lacrosse, women's rowing, men's golf), an invitation to the WNIT (women's basketball), three conference championship titles (indoor track, women's lacrosse, women's rowing), and one conference regular season title (women's lacrosse). Additionally, men's soccer, women's basketball and men's lacrosse (best finish in program history) reached the conference tournament final.
The excitement around campus is palpable heading into the 2018-19 academic year. New construction projects are underway, including a new Jacksonville Lacrosse Center (JLC), a new Athletics office and basketball practice facility, the completion of the Williams Hall residential complex, refurbished and updated classrooms and study spaces, a new Academic Health Sciences Center, and a new Welcome Center at our front door represent more than $50 million in investment across our campus.
Hired as Associate Athletic Director of Compliance and Student-Athlete Services in November of 2014, Ricker-Gilbert was later promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director on Jan. 8, 2016. He served in that capacity for just four months before being elevated to Athletic Director in May of that year, taking over for Chief Athletics Officer Dr. Donnie Horner, who led the athletic department from 2014-16.
"I'm ecstatic to lead the Athletic Department and thank President Cost for the opportunity,'' Ricker-Gilbert said. "For the past couple years I have had the benefit of Dr. Horner's mentoring and it has been a pleasure working with him. I look very forward to building on the great foundation of improvements laid by Dr. Horner in the future.''
Ricker-Gilbert came to Jacksonville having spent the previous three years as Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance and Student-Services at Longwood University in Virginia. From 2013-16, Ricker-Gilbert held Longwood’s senior compliance officer position for its 14 Division I programs and served as an academic advisor for the Lancers’ softball, men’s soccer, and men’s and women’s cross country teams. Ricker-Gilbert oversaw the scholarship budget, served as the SAAC Advisor, and was the liaison to financial aid, the registrar, admissions, and housing.
Chief Athletics Officer Dr. Donnie Horner was enthusiastic in his praise of Ricker-Gilbert, “Alex is a wonderful addition to our staff and the University. He knows the NCAA compliance business inside-out, and his hands-on knowledge of all facets of student-athlete support services is an immense plus. Alex has been at a host of great institutions -- Penn State, Villanova, West Chester, Longwood, and others -- and will hit the ground running on November 11th, and we’re proud to welcome him as a Dolphin.”
Prior to his time at Longwood, Ricker-Gilbert worked as the interim Compliance Director at Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne. At IPFW, he oversaw the development, implementation, and enforcement of the compliance program, conducted all rules education meetings with coaches, coordinated all academic operations for incoming freshmen, transfers and returning student-athletes, created and implemented new processes and procedures as necessary per NCAA legislation, provided all NCAA interpretations to coaches, staff and support groups, boosters, and student-athletes, and completed conference and NCAA required reports and waivers among his various other responsibilities.
While completing his master’s degree at West Chester University, Ricker-Gilbert worked as an intern in both the Villanova and West Chester University athletic departments. At Villanova, he coordinated community service events for student-athletes, assisted with senior preparatory programming, facilitated SAAC activities, and assisted in the coordination of the Champs/Life Skills program. At West Chester, he assisted in the oversight of the compliance program for WCU’s 24 athletic teams. Ricker-Gilbert maintained the compliance website, reviewed and updated eligibility documentation for student-athletes through the NCAA Eligibility Center and LSDBI, reported on the academic success rate of student-athletes, and served as an academic mentor for the Athletic Mentor program for WCU student-athletes.
A native of Tolland, Connecticut, Ricker-Gilbert earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology with Pennsylvania teaching certification in health and physical education from Penn State University in 2009. In 2011, he earned his Masters of Public Administration degree with a Graduate Certificate in Sport Management and Athletics from West Chester.
What They’re Saying:
“When Alex was at IPFW, I saw first-hand his leadership potential and knew he was going to accomplish great things in college athletics. What a great hire for the Dolphins!" – Tommy Bell, Athletic Director, Southern Illinois University
"Alex is an extremely bright and talented administrator. He works hard to provide the best experience for student-athletes while remaining mindful of the ideals and values of the institution. I believe he is one of the best young professionals the country." – Troy Austin, Athletic Director, Longwood University
“Alex has the unique ability to connect with people very quickly. I worked with him for just a short time at IPFW but it didn't take long to respect how hard-working, caring, and knowledgeable he is about this industry and more importantly, the people in it. He deals with issues and people with the immense integrity.” – Kelley Hartley Hutton, Athletic Director, IPFW
"Alex Ricker-Gilbert is one of the brightest young professionals in NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics. As Jacksonville’s next Director of Athletics, he will lead with integrity, tenacity, innovation, and excellence. A championship decision for JU.” – Michelle Meadows, Senior Associate AD/SWA at Longwood University
“Alex has been an active member of the National Association of Athletics Compliance serving on its Legislation and Governance Committee for the last three years. As a result, he genuinely understands the big picture of college sports. He has been deeply involved in evaluating the many changes that have directly impacted compliance professionals and college athletics over the last few years. Alex is a hard worker who is eager to be part of the process and always acts with integrity; I cannot think of someone better to serve in an athletics director role.” – Kate M. Charipar, Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance, University of Utah
