Nestor Osorio joined Walla Walla University during fall quarter 2022 as the new athletic director. Here are some cool facts about him. Nestor Osorio was born in Argentina, has visited more than 50 counties, can fluently speak, read, and write in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and loves not only playing sports but also studying them. In college, Osorio studied music, theology, physical education, and sports management.
Osorio likes playing different sports. He played soccer until the age of 12-13, then he got more into golf and tennis, and in high school and college he played basketball. Osorio also likes to play volleyball, rugby, and even hockey. Having this background in sports is certainly an advantage for an athletic director and for Walla Walla University athletes.
One interesting fact about the new athletic director is his nickname, Coco. One time as a baby, when Osorio was playing with his sister, she said he looked like a coconut. In Spanish, “coco” means coconut and since then everyone started calling Osorio “Coco.” Surprisingly, Osorio shared that “a lot of people don’t know my real name.” Furthermore, it even happened that some documents had to be brought back and changed because people would think Coco was his real name.
When it comes to vision and goals for athletics at Walla Walla University, Osorio points out that we are realistic and set smart, specific, measurable, and attainable goals. Osorio has two Bible numbers that he likes: 7 and 12. The number 7 symbolizes perfection, and the number 12 signifies Jesus’ team. Osorio is aiming for a “7-12% growth in the number of student athletes, 7-12% growth in graduation rates, 7-12% growth in GPA for the whole program, 7-12% growth in community outreach initiatives and projects.”
In Osorio’s opinion, life's “biggest challenge is how to deal with pain and suffering,” and he believes sports can serve as a ministry. He pointed out that, based on research and data, by “being part of a Christian athletic program,” you can “improve your academic performance, you can prove your desire to serve, desire to change the world, and do what God expects from us.”
This sounds like a promising new beginning for Walla Walla University athletics, so let’s wish Osorio luck in his work as an athletic director. Go Wolves! [1]
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