Christian Pope Hired as New Athletic Director

Marshall, Mo., (June 15, 2026)- Christian Pope has been hired as the next Athletic Director at Missouri Valley College. The announcement was made June 15 by President Joe Parisi.

Pope, a veteran AD with over 30 years experience, started in his new role Monday. Most recently oversaw the athletics department at Milligan University for four years. He was responsible for 31 sports at Milligan, covering all operational units from academics, compliance, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, equipment, facilities, to HR and coaching staffs.

"Christian brings a high level of experience and a focused energy to Valley," said Parisi. "We are looking forward to his leadership and his strong work ethic."

Another area of Pope's strength is external relations and fund raising. He is well-versed in corporate partnerships and donor relations, and he has led multiple athletic fund raising campaigns for everything from a new golf facility to stadium enhancements and a track locker room.

Prior to working at Milligan, Pope spent 11 years as associate athletics director at Campbell University. He has also worked at Virginia Commonwealth, Indiana, Murray State, Rhode Island, and Chicago State. Pope is a two-time Appalachian Athletic Conference Athletics Director of the Year, and he has extensive experience in national governance and conference leadership in both the NAIA and NCAA.

"I can't tell you how excited I am to join the team at Valley," Pope said. "From Dr. Parisi throughout the campus, I met many warm and welcoming individuals who care deeply about the students and their success."

Pope earned his bachelor's degree at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a master's in athletic administration at Georgia Southern. He has participated in the Sport Management Institute at University of Notre Dame and University of South Carolina. He also participated in the NACDA Management Leadership Institute, and Tennessee Independent Colleges & Universities Association Executive Leadership Institute.

He and his wife, Bonita, are moving to the Marshall, Mo. area.

About Missouri Valley College

Standing out as one of the most innovative and student-focused liberal arts colleges in the Midwest, Missouri Valley College (MVC) is committed to preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Through the Viking Voyage program, MVC prioritizes career readiness from day one, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel after graduation. Each of MVC's 30+ in-demand majors—including nursing, business, cybersecurity, computer science, criminal justice, and exercise science—integrates personal instruction, experiential learning, and professional opportunities to prepare graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing and globally connected world. At Missouri Valley College, higher education is more than earning a degree—it's a transformative journey that begins with the end.