KANSAS - The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is proud to bring you the "KCAC Alumni Spotlight" series. Every two weeks, the conference will aim to highlight an alumnus of one of our KCAC full member institutions. We hope in this series to highlight successes that KCAC alumni had not only on the field, court, etc., but also in the classroom and now in their chosen professional field.
KCAC ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT — FRIENDS UNIVERSITY
Alumnus: Alex Melugin
Degree Earned at Friends: Bachelors in Business Administration (2009)
Additional Degrees Earned: Masters in Business Administration, Newman University (2012)
Career Alumnus Currently Holds: President/Partner,
Phoenix Home Care and Hospice
How did your time at Friends help to prepare you for life after college/entering the workforce?
MELUGIN: "My time at Friends taught me that leadership is about serving others with integrity, faith, and purpose. Those values have guided me throughout my career and continue to shape the way I lead today."
Were there any pre-professional experiences (internships/job shadows/etc.) during your college years that prepared you for entering your chosen field?
MELUGIN: "My biggest pre-professional experience came through football. Being a student-athlete taught me how to lead under pressure, work as part of a team, and stay disciplined—skills that translated directly into business and healthcare leadership. Those experiences gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities after graduation and prepared me for the challenges of leading a growing organization."
What lessons did you learn competing in collegiate athletics that helped prepare you for life after your playing days were over?
MELUGIN: "Competing in collegiate athletics taught me that success is built on discipline, consistency, and teamwork. Football showed me how to overcome adversity and stay committed to a goal even when the path isn't easy. Those lessons have carried over into every aspect of my life—from leading a growing healthcare organization to being a husband and father. The game ended, but the mindset and values it instilled continue to shape how I lead and serve others every day."
MORE ABOUT ALEX MELUGIN
Alex Melugin (’09) is a business leader, entrepreneur, former collegiate and professional athlete, and devoted husband and father whose life has been shaped by faith, servant leadership, and a commitment to helping others.
Alex serves as President and Partner of Phoenix Home Care & Hospice, one of the region’s leading healthcare organizations and Kansas' largest home care provider. Under his leadership, the company has grown to more than 4500 employees globally and has been recognized as one of the Top 25 largest employers in Wichita. He also helped found Physical Therapy by Phoenix, which has expanded to 15 outpatient clinics across Kansas, Missouri, and Arizona, providing exceptional rehabilitative care throughout the Midwest.
A Wichita native and Friends University graduate, Alex credits his time at Friends with helping prepare him for leadership while reinforcing the importance of faith, relationships, and service. The connections and experiences he gained as a student-athlete continue to influence both his professional and personal life.
On the football field, Alex established himself as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in Friends University history. As the 2008 KCAC Conference Player of the Year, he threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 35 touchdowns while leading the Falcons to back to back conference championships. His outstanding collegiate career led to an opportunity to play professional arena football, where he earned victories in head-to-head matchups against former NFL quarterbacks Sonny Cumbie and Quincy Carter.
Alex has continued to distinguish himself in the business community. He was recognized as one of the Wichita Business Journal’s prestigious
40 Under 40 honorees, celebrating the region’s top young business leaders. Throughout his career, he has helped guide Phoenix Home Care & Hospice through significant growth while fostering a culture rooted in compassion, excellence, and Christ-centered values. The organization has received numerous honors for its rapid growth, innovation, and commitment to serving patients and families throughout the communities it serves.
Above every professional accomplishment, Alex considers his relationship with Jesus Christ to be the foundation of his life. He strives to lead with integrity, humility, and compassion, believing that business is ultimately about serving people well. He and his wife, Ashley, have been married for 17 years and are the proud parents of three children—Makenna, Kaia, and Cannon. Whether leading a growing healthcare organization, mentoring future leaders, or spending time with his family, Alex remains committed to living out his faith and making a lasting impact in his community.
Alex’s journey—from record-setting quarterback to healthcare executive and entrepreneur—reflects the values Friends University seeks to instill in its graduates: leadership, service, excellence, and faith. He continues to use those principles to positively influence his industry, his community, and the lives of those around him.
ABOUT THE KANSAS COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and sponsors 28 varsity sports. Founded in 1890, the KCAC is the second oldest intercollegiate athletic conference in the country. As the conference home to 14 member institutions, the KCAC emphasizes commitment, cooperation, high achievement, and working towards a common goal in the act of competition. To keep up with the latest conference news, follow the KCAC on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram using the handle @kcacsports.
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