Jim Gasso has been named the head softball coach at Mid-America Christian University (MACU).
“MACU has built an exceptional softball program, and I look forward to extending the tradition of excellence,” Gasso said. “Most importantly, I’m excited and blessed to use this sport as a platform for ministry.”
Gasso succeeds Robert Wakefield, who coached softball at MACU since 2011, leading the Evangels to the 2023 NCCAA World Series Semifinal. He was the longest-tenured coach at MACU.
MACU Athletic Director Marcus Moeller praised Gasso’s fit with the university’s culture.
“Jim has a long history of using the athletic arena to impact lives, and we look forward to partnering with him to reach even more people,” Moeller said.
The Gasso family is synonymous with softball in Oklahoma. His wife, Patty is head coach of the University of Oklahoma Sooners, where his son, JT, also serves as an assistant coach. Gasso’s younger son DJ is associate head coach at the University of Utah.
MACU President Phil Greenwald said Gasso represents the university’s values.
“Jim’s deep faith, love for students and success on the field will take MACU to the next level as we help young women grow in their faith and academic studies while playing softball as Evangels,” Greenwald said.
As Gasso moves into the position, he says he keeps in-heart the gospel of Matthew 9:37, which reads: “Then he said to his Disciples, the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
Gasso has owned and operated the IntenCity Sports Training Academy in Norman, Okla, since 2010. IntenCity trained multiple high school and college athletes, including some of MACU’s student-athletes.
Overall, Gasso’s athletics coaching and administrative experience runs deep. He worked in athletics at the high school and collegiate level for 41 years, beginning his career as a graduate assistant football coach at Utah State University in 1983.
Gasso’s most recent coaching stint came at Bishop McGuiness High School in Oklahoma City, where he served as the head softball coach during the 2018 season after serving as an assistant baseball coach in 2017.
Gasso earned his master’s degree in education from Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) in 1986 and his bachelor’s degree in physical education from CSU-Long Beach in 1982.