Pike begins his second season as the Gannon Strength and Conditioning Coach in 2017-18. The newly-created position serves all 20 Gannon intercollegiate athletic programs.
Pike began his tenure with great knowledge of Gannon University after spending the previous five years as a member of the Golden Knight football program and in several key positions within the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He worked as the Gannon Women's Basketball Strength Coach, before assuming the position for the entire department.
A certified strength and conditioning specialist, Pike has functioned in several administrative roles during a five-year span prior to becoming Gannon's Strength and Conditioning Coach. In addition to being an NCAA Division II National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative, he served as the NCAA Division II National SAAC Chair and PSAC Western Division SAAC Chair until January of 2017. Pike lead the Student-Athlete Voice initiative, as well as created the NCAA Division II "It's On Us" Video and NCAA Division II SAAC Network.
"I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to move into this position at Gannon University," said Pike upon his hiring. "Gannon has helped in sculpting who I am today. To have the opportunity to give back to the University and athletic department that did so much means the world to me. This position gives me a great opportunity to continue my education and develop my career further. I look forward for everything that is to come."
Pike began his administrative career as the Gannon SAAC President from 2013-15, before becoming the NCAA Division II National SAAC Vice Chair for one year in 2015. He spent five years with the Gannon football program, redshirting as a true freshman in 2011 before lettering four straight years (2012-15). Pike was named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete all five years. He completed over 1,500 hours of community service during the last five years while participating in college and community events such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, L'Arche, Martin Luther King Junior Center, St. Baldrick's Foundation, Day of Caring and Second Harvest Food Bank.
"We are extremely excited that Chris was able to remain a part of Gannon in this new position," said Gannon Director of Athletics Lisa Goddard McGuirk upon Pike's hiring. "The experience Chris was able to obtain through his roles with the PSAC and NCAA is invaluable. We believe this hire strengthens our staff and will be vital to the success of our student-athletes."
Pike graduated from Gannon in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in sport and exercise science and later received a master's degree in 2016.
