About Us
Athletes in Action is a CRU ministry that focuses on impacting collegiate athletes around the world to use their platform as a way to point others to Christ and use sport as an avenue to grow in their faith. At Georgia Southern, we aim to bridge the gap between collegiate athletes and the local church.
Every staff member of The Athletes in Action Georgia Southern chapter are alumni from various sports. The shared athletic background and understanding of the sport strengthen the relationships among coaches, athletes, and staff. Each staff member has been influenced by mentors or teammates and is dedicated to paying that impact forward.
Matt Wise
CAMPUS DIRECTOR
In 2009, Matt listened to God’s call to vocational ministry and has had a heart to work with athletes in action ever since. He is married to his beautiful wife, Colleen, and together they have 4 precious daughters: Hope, Kennedy, Berkley, and Camryn. Matt is skilled at pursuing and challenging people to go outside their comfort zone in order to serve the Lord well. He has been able to see AIA grow in immense ways and is excited to see where the Lord takes AIA in the future.
Holland Danskin
WOMENS MINISTRY LEADER
Holland is from Norcross, GA and was a member of the Swim & Dive team at Georgia Southern from 2019-2022. After her involvement as an athlete and experience working as student-staff for 2 years, She felt the lord calling her to ministry. Once She graduated in May 2023, she joined staff with AIA at GSU. Holland enjoys developing leaders by walking alongside them in their relationship with Christ and encouraging them to share their lives with others. She is very excited to see the student leaders embrace their calling and see how God moves within the women’s ministry at Georgia Southern.
678.634.0904
Gabby Giglio
INTERN
Gabby is from Locust Grove, GA and competed on the rifle team at GSU for 4 years. She graduated from Georgia Southern in 2023 with a degree in Psychology. During her senior season, after a year of being involved with aia, she felt God calling her to try working for ministry! She has committed to a 2 year internship with AIA at Georgia Southern. Gabby is looking forward to seeing athletes learn how to apply faith in their sport.
678.360.5395
Jeremy Gay
FULL TIME STAFF
Jeremy is from Millen, GA and was a member of the Georgia Southern Baseball team from 2020-22. He was involved with Athletes in Action during his time at GSU, but God moved him to Georgia Highlands college after his sophomore season. While there, he began to hold weekly Bible studies and discipleship. During his junior year, Jeremy sustained a career-ending injury. Jeremy found himself back on campus at Georgia Southern. He volunteered with GS AIA during the fall of 2023 and was Part Time Staff. He has now joined full-time with AIA at Southern! He is most looking forward to cultivating relationships with the student-athletes in order to help them grow in their character and relationship with Jesus.
706.871.3114
Ethan Dirrim
PART-TIME STAFF
Ethan Dirrim is from Canton, GA and played on the football team at GSU for 2 seasons. He is working on graduating in the Spring of 2025 with a degree in Psychology. During his junior season he started getting involved with AIA as a student leader, he felt the calling of God leading him to working in ministry and is now working with AIA as a part-time staff member until he graduates. He is looking forward to building up the body of believers at GSU and being bold with his faith for the expansion of the Kingdom of God!
770.883.8262
JJ Puccio
VOLUNTEER STAFF
JJ has been married to his wife Alice for 23 years and is a proud father to his 22-year-old daughter Kaylee. He has been a State Farm Agency owner for 10 years. Outside of work, he finds fulfillment in serving in his church as well as with AIA, where he believes in the transformative power of changing lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. jj loves serving with AIA and leading discipleship groups, because he can actively see the Gospel transform lives right in front of his eyes. He has a passion for helping others, which is fulfilled through his career and his service to his church and AIA.
912.536.1796
Theresa Hackle
VOLUNTEER STAFF
Theresa was told that there are two important things to love in order to be on staff with AIA: One is a love for the Lord, the other is a love for Georgia Southern. For her, she had a great love for both, which made her involvement come naturally! Theresa has worked on the advisory team with her husband, Allan, since 2010. Around 2019, Theresa joined volunteer staff. She enjoys seeing the coaches come together for bible study and she admires the courage the student-athletes have to proclaim their faith whether on the field praying or leading discipleship groups.
912.536.6032
Micah Herriman
PART-TIME FIELD STAFF
Micah Herriman is a local pastor in Statesboro that has been serving as the Chaplain for the Men’s Basketball Team. In 2023 Micah and Matt were invited to co-lead pregame devotions for the teams home games. Through relationship building God opened the door to have significantly more involvement with the team including leading Team Culture Meetings, starting a Team Bible Study, having weekly discipleship with Coach Henry, and intentionally investing in coaches and players to Win them to Christ, Build them up in the faith, and Send them out as spiritual leaders to use their platform for God’s glory. Micah is coming on staff part time in order to have the resources to increase his availability with the team and maximize the influence that God has given him for kingdom growth.
706.872.9328