Greg Tackett

I grew up in Ft. Gibson, OK and graduated high school in 1987. I attended the University of Oklahoma as an Engineering major before transferring to Northeastern State University to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Mathematics. I was a graduate assistant for the men’s basketball team while working on my Master’s Degree in College Teaching. My first job after college was as an Assistant Mens’ Basketball Coach at Houghton College in New York, a sister school to OKWU. I also taught classes in their Physical Education department, worked in the Admissions Office, and served as the Intramural Director. I also worked as an assistant coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M and Liberty University in Virginia before moving back to Oklahoma to serve as the Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Sequoyah Claremore. After meeting and marrying my wife, Amy, and finding out that we were expecting our first child, I moved into public school administration as an Assistant Principal at Bartlesville High School in 2004. In 2007, I started working as the National Recruiting Director for Elite Sports, a Christian owned and operated sports travel company that sets up showcase events in Hawaii for high school athletes. I returned to Bartlesville Public Schools in 2007 as an Assistant Principal at Madison Middle School before returning to the High School in 2009. I accepted the High School Principal position at Metro Christian Academy in Tulsa in 2018 and served there for two years. We have a son, Parker, and daughter, Katie, who will be returning to Bartlesville Public Schools this fall. My family and I are excited to be back in Bartlesville and in the place that we consider to be our home. I am thrilled for the opportunity that OKWU has given me to return to the classroom and to work with such outstanding faculty and students in my role as Dean of the School of Health and Sciences.

“I’m especially thankful to be able to serve in a place that honors Christ in everything that we do!”

Classes Taught:

Sports Psychology
Leadership in Sports
Theory of Coaching
Methods of Elementary and Secondary Physical Education

Organizations

NAIA – Faculty Athletic Representative
Oklahoma Coaches Association
SHAPE America

How does your work contribute to OKWU’s mission?

Since I work with so many student athletes in my courses and as an advisor, I hope that I am able to share my experiences as both a coach and administrator to help them with their path and career goals.  So many of our students want to continue to be involved in athletics beyond their playing days.  My passion is to help them see the impact they can have for Christ through participation in sports.

How do you integrate faith into your teaching or daily work?

I believe it is important to start the first day of a class with prayer for God’s blessing on each student and that their path will be made straight that their commitment to HIm in their lives.  I want to find ways to incorporate biblical principles through everything that we discuss and teach my students how God wants to be involved in their lives and careers in even the smallest details.

What makes OKWU a special place for you?

I love being able to freely express my commitment to Christ on a daily basis in the classroom and in interactions with students and colleagues. Having worked for many years in the public school setting, being able to openly express my beliefs and love for Him is something that I will never take for granted. It is a special place that is committed to educating young people to go out into the world prepared to make an impact for God’s kingdom.

What advice would you give to a prospective student?

That this is a place that will prepare them to make an impact for Christ in whatever path they choose for their career. They will be surrounded by a faculty and staff that loves them as a sister or brother in Christ but will challenge them to reach their potential academically, socially, and spiritually. They will receive an outstanding education that is rooted firmly in God’s word and nurtured by a community that seeks to glorify Him through everything that we do.