Thursday, July 21, 2011

Keshia Campbell Appointed Athletics Director at Hampton U.

HU Athletics Director Keshia Campbell
(Photo courtesy of: MEAC Media Relations)
Hampton, VA - Keshia Campbell has been named the new director of athletics at Hampton University. Campbell, who has extensive experience in athletics administration, will begin at Hampton on Aug. 15.

Campbell, the first female athletics director to lead the Pirates, replaces Lonza Hardy, who has been named director of athletics at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Hampton received several nominations and expressions of interest for the position of director of athletics. After careful review, two of the candidates were invited for interviews with members of the coaching staff and athletic administration. Dr. Rodney Smith, vice president for administrative services, who supervises athletics at Hampton then interviewed both finalists. Smith was also impressed with Campbell and recommended her for the position of athletics director at Hampton.

"Ms. Campbell comes with athletics management experience, knowledge of the institution's athletics program and direct experience from within the National Collegiate Athletics Association," Smith said. "We are very excited to welcome her as a member of the Hampton family and we are looking forward to continued excellence from our student-athletes under her direction."

Prior to her current position as director of business affairs at University of Texas at Dallas, Campbell held two administrative positions at the NCAA, assistant and associate director of championships, from 2006-2009. Campbell is also no stranger to Hampton; she served as assistant and associate director of athletics at Hampton from 2004-2006 and was head women's basketball coach at South Carolina State University for seven years.

A two-time graduate of South Carolina State, Campbell earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling.

"I am thrilled and honored to be appointed to the helm of the Pirate athletics program," said Campbell. "Hampton is recognized as one of the best Division I mid-major programs in the entire country and I look forward to carrying on the tradition of excellence."

Campbell is another in a long line of women being appointed to senior administration positions under William R. Harvey's tenure as Hampton president.

"Ms. Campbell has the administrative skills and experience to continue to guide our student-athletes to academic and athletic success," Harvey said. "We believe her passion and vision will further elevate the bright future of Hampton University athletics."

No comments: