NCCAA Chaplain

A 2019 NCCAA Hall of Fame inductee, Judy Fox’s fingerprint extends across more than 16 nations, and her impact is evidenced by four Halls of Fame (HOF), including the 2016 East Stroudsburg Area School District Athletics HOF, the 2016 East Stroudsburg Area School District Meritorious HOF, the 2019 Houghton University Hall of Honor, and the 2019 NCCAA HOF.

Judy’s life exemplifies the hard work required to produce excellence. Having grown up in East Stroudsburg, PA, she did not play organized volleyball until she walked on to her college team as a freshman. Four years later, Judy was honored as an NCCAA Division I First Team All-American.

Over the next 14 years, Judy enjoyed coaching at the collegiate level, including as first assistant at the University of North Texas, which competed in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference. From there, Judy took on the task of building a program for a small, private high school in Dallas, TX, and, over a 5-year period, won the first championship for any girls' athletic team in school history. She led her squad to the District and Bi-District Championships and finished in the Top 8 in the state of Texas. She founded two volleyball clubs in the North Texas Region.

In May 2003, Ignite International was born, and since then Judy has invested herself the same as she has spent much of her life. That is, committing 100% to a cause bigger than herself, empowering the next generation with her gift of coaching and mentorship.  She is a sought-after visionary partner with multiple national sports federations and Olympic committees, as well as various youth empowerment programs globally.  Through Ignite, Judy has led teams on missions to more than a dozen countries and in 2019 launched Ignite U1, an education-based initiative to showcase the journeys of extreme overcomers and coach practical skills that empower teens and adults to break intergenerational cycles of trauma

Going forward, in addition to her continued leadership of Ignite International, Judy is excited to launch a new initiative to equip athletes, coaches, and teambuilders with winning pathways to live on fire without burning out. Live On Fire Coaching reflects Judy’s personal belief that every great legacy is built by a team, and every team begins with a team builder. Whether you’re an athlete building your future, a coach building a program, or a leader building a vision—you’re a team builder, and you are meant to thrive, not just survive! 

Thank you to Ignite International and Judy Fox for serving as chaplain during the NCCAA Volleyball Championships.

Chelle attended Geneva College after a standout career at Miller High School in Central Ohio. At Geneva she was a 4-year starter and NCCAA All-American in basketball as well as a 4-year starter and all-district softball player for the Golden Tornados. She was inducted to the Geneva College Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

After graduating Chelle moved into coaching where she has spent the past 29 years motivating and mentoring athletes and training players to reach their goals in softball and basketball. As the Geneva College softball coach, she guided the Golden Tornados to a 77-55 overall record also leading the team to the NAIA regional tournament for the first time in program history. That same year (1999) she was named NCCAA Regional Coach of the Year. She took over a struggling Grove City College team in 2006 and reinvigorated the program rewriting the record books during her 7 seasons finishing at that time as the program’s all-time wins leader.

Chelle is passionate about helping her players build strong physical, mental, and spiritual health all while pushing them to grow by 1% every day toward their personal and team goals. She earned her Masters of Higher Education from Geneva College in 2006 and continues to be a life-long learner in the areas of leadership and culture building.

Chelle and her husband of 30 years have 2 children and reside in Grove City, PA.

BRIAN MITCHELL 
AREA DIRECTOR 
SOUTH CENTRAL MISSOURI FCA 

After extensive work across the Midwest and Central America, Brian currently serves as the Area Director for the South-Central Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and chaplain for the College of the Ozarks Athletic Department. As an FCA Area Director, he has seen growth in his area, which serves over 3,800 students, coaches, and teachers throughout 92 schools and 2 colleges in 11 counties. He also serves several current and former elite level athletes and coaches.

While earning a Bachelor of Arts in Health Physical Education and Recreation, Brian was a four-year member of the men’s basketball team. In 2014, the 1985-86 Men’s Basketball team, of which he was a member, was inducted into the Kansas Wesleyan University Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 1990 Brian married Crystal and they have five children, three grandsons, and one granddaughter. They reside on Table Rock Lake in Blue Eye, Missouri.