By Willie Mosley
Practicum Student
This summer, Jackson State University began a new day in athletics, from kicking off the 100th year celebration of football, to the naming of the first female athletic director in university history.
Dr. Vivian Fuller, JSU’s newest sports leader, was introduced in a press conference at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center Sports Hall of Fame in July.
Dr. Marie O’Banner Jackson, associate dean of academics for the Division of Undergraduate Studies and leader of the search committee, explained why Fuller was the best choice for JSU.
“She is innovative, energetic, and brings a lot of good experience to Jackson State,” Jackson said.
Jackson cited Fuller’s past experiences in fundraising and coming to Jackson State after being a Dean of Academics at Sojourner-Douglas College in Cambridge, Maryland, adding that her understanding of academics as well as athletics made her a very attractive candidate for the position.
Among the students who met the new AD, was Shannon Gates, an incoming freshman from Jackson, Miss.
“I think its cool and I welcome everything that she has to offer to my school,” said Gates.
Other students said they look forward to talking to Fuller to express their desires for the athletic program.
Raina Sanders from Leland, Miss. said: “I have already seen a change in the athletic department. I feel that she will make great decisions on building a better program. As far as what I would like to see her improve, I would like to see a better financial support system for the athletes and I would like to see more ideas.”
Sanders finished 21st in the 400 meter dash during the preliminaries of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship in Iowa this summer.
Alka Hamilton, a senior distance runner for indoor and outdoor track from St. Louis, Mo., said: “I would like to see new facilities, maybe even an indoor track so we can compete against anyone and not practice in the cold.”
Fuller acknowledged that every institution has its own problems and challenges but said she considers a challenge to be an opportunity for
success.
“I must see what’s already in place here and see what is working and what is not working,” said Fuller. “As of today, we will work and have fun but we will get (the job) done.”
First of all I would like to welcome the new AD to the Tiger Family. I am JSU Alumni that lives in Tucson, AZ. We have an Alumni chapter here and we like following Tiger Football. We have always been able to listen to the game via the JSU website, but last season we were turned on JSU TV and was able to watch the games. We would like to know if that option was still gonna be available to us this season and if the quality of the connection has gotten better.