Favorite Verse: “Commit all of your activities to the Lord, and your plans will succeed” Proverb 16:3
Dr. John Wilson joined Howard Payne in August of 2019 and is the Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance and a member of the faculty. Dr. Wilson is the head of the Sports Management Department.
Dr. Wilson came to Howard Payne with extensive experience in game day operations, sports communications, marketing and promotions as well as having served as a Texas high school coach and assistant athletic director and an area Fellowship of Christian Athletes Director and sponsor.
From 2018 to 2019, Dr. Wilson worked with the San Antonio Missions as a game day operations assistant, the San Antonio Commanders with the communications team, and the San Antonio Spurs marketing and promotions.
During that same time, Dr. Wilson gained experience working in tennis with the Fed Cup: USA vs. Switzerland, and the Valero Texas Open. He also worked with the UIL Texas State Basketball Tournament and had internships with the University of Texas – San Antonio and Texas State University Sports Information offices.
Before coming to HPU, he worked as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Northwest Area Director, recruiting, fundraising, huddle development, and character coach development.
From 2013 to 2019, Dr. Wilson was the Physical Education Director for Krueger Elementary in Marion, Texas. Before that served as the Director of Personal Training at the Sonora Sports and Fitness Center in Sonora, California.
He was a Texas high school coach and Assistant Athletic Director at Gonzales High School from 1999 to 2008, working with girls basketball and cross country.
Dr. Wilson also coached girls' basketball and cross country at Graford High School in Graford, Texas, from 1994 to 1999.
Dr. Wilson received his Doctorate Degree from the United States Sports Academy in Sports Management. He holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration from Texas Tech University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas.
Dr. Wilson is an avid triathlete, competing in over 100 triathlons over the last 24 years including 31 Ironman races. He has reached an All-World Gold level (top 1% age group), triathlete for five years and USAT Triathlon All-American for four years.
Dr. Wilson is married to Kimara. Their family includes their daughter, Avery De La Pena, and son-law, Ricardo De La Pena; their son, Camden, who was a GA at HPU and received his Master’s degree in 2022; and their son, Brevin, who played football at HPU and graduated in 2023.
