From a young coach shooting free throws in the gym to leading Bushnell University’s athletic department into a new era, Corey Anderson’s journey in sports has been highly impactful. Serving as the Athletic Director at Bushnell since 2005, Anderson has overseen a period of remarkable growth for the Beacons, expanding from just four teams to 17. Under his leadership, Bushnell Athletics has transitioned into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC), with many notable achievements, including multiple CCC Team Championships and the 2015 NAIA National Championship in women’s cross country.
We sat down with Anderson to hear more about his passion for athletics, his commitment to holistic student development, and how his experience as both a coach and athletic director has shaped his leadership at Bushnell. You can watch the full interview on Bushnell University’s YouTube channel or via the embedded video below. Anderson shares his insights on the importance of character development, the impact of athletics on student life, and his advice for student-athletes looking to balance their academic and athletic goals while making the most of their time at Bushnell.
Anderson’s passion for athletics runs deep, as his personal experience as a student-athlete and his career as a coach have shaped his belief in the power of sports to impact students’ lives. “The memories that athletes carry with them—whether from big games, practices, or even road trips—are part of a greater experience that goes beyond competition,” Anderson shares. “Athletics is about personal growth, building friendships, and learning lessons that stick with you for life.”
Building a Balanced, Successful Athletic Program at Bushnell
When reflecting on his time at Bushnell, Anderson highlights the athletic department’s holistic approach, which prioritizes not only athletic success but also academic excellence and character development. The Tri-Athlete Model created under his leadership focuses on achieving balance between these areas, leading to the Beacons’ consistent recognition for academic achievement, including the Cascade Conference President’s Academic Excellence designation, which is awarded to athletic departments that achieve an overall combined GPA of 3.0 or higher among their student-athletes (both men and women) in CCC-sanctioned sports, and have at least 60% of their student-athletes who are eligible for Academic All-Conference recognition (with sophomore standing and a GPA of 3.2 or higher) earn that distinction.
The department has also earned the prestigious NAIA Champions of Character 5-Star Awards every year since 2015, achieving “Gold Award” status in 2018 and maintaining it ever since. This recognition reflects the department’s intentional commitment to the principles of Champions of Character—respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship, and servant leadership—earning points for character training, conduct in competition, academic focus, character recognition, and character promotion. Notably, the department has excelled in academic performance, with exceptional student-athlete GPAs, and maintained a high standard of conduct by having minimal to no ejections during competition throughout the course of the academic year.
The department’s success is further reflected in the growing enrollment of student-athletes, with 320-plus enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year. In addition, Anderson has fostered strong community partnerships with organizations like Willamalane, Springfield School District, Pine Ridge Golf Course, Kidsports, Special Olympics, and Grace Community Fellowship. These collaborations have resulted in significant developments, such as the Hamlin Sports Complex, where the baseball team plays, the Bushnell Beach Volleyball Courts at Grace, and the new Player Development Facility at Pine Ridge, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the NAIA – for the golf programs.
Community Impact
As the longest-tenured Athletic Director in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, Anderson was named the Cascade Collegiate Conference Athletic Director of the Year in 2016. His commitment to the Bushnell community extends beyond the athletic field. As a co-teacher for Bushnell’s Intro to Coaching class, he helps train the next generation of coaches while staying active in NAIA and Cascade Collegiate Conference leadership. He serves on the CCC ratings committee and is a member of the NAIA’s National Administrative Council. Additionally, he is on the Board of Directors for the NAIA Athletic Directors Association and serves on the Membership Committee, which assists with onboarding new campus athletic directors. He’s also highly regarded for his time as head men’s basketball coach from 2009 to 2013, where he coached the first-ever NAIA All-American in the program’s history, as well as several All-CCC athletes.
Reflecting on his love for sports, Anderson says, “I wouldn’t change anything about what I do. Sports have been part of my life since middle school, and it’s rewarding to know that I’m helping young men and women make memories and build character that they’ll carry with them beyond their time at Bushnell.”
When he’s not leading the Beacons, you can find him on the golf course, where he enjoys the outdoors and the mental relaxation that comes with the game. “Golf gives me time to think and unwind—it’s my happy place,” he says.
For Anderson, the journey has been about more than just athletic achievement. It’s about being present, passionate, and continually challenging oneself to be better. As he continues to guide Bushnell Athletics toward even greater success, his focus remains on giving student-athletes the best possible opportunities to thrive—both on and off the field.