Tuskegee, Ala. - (Oct. 1, 2009) - President Benjamin F. Payton of Tuskegee University announced today the appointment of Mr. Anthony Holloman as Director of Athletics at the University, effective immediately. Holloman follows the year and a half tenure of Mr. Stacy Danley who joined the University in April 2008.
Payton indicated that "the change in leadership was necessary to keep focused on a set strategic agenda to continue the journey of strengthening and improving Tuskegee Athletics and its many facilities." Holloman most recently served the University as Associate Vice President for University Advancement over the last five years. In his new role he will report to the President and "provide the critical leadership to continue the forward movement of a distinctive and noted program", said Payton.
In this role, Mr. Holloman will be responsible to the President of the University for the effective and efficient operations of the total athletic program, including all intercollegiate University sports and related sport entities and activities. He will supervise members of the athletic staff and maintain an environment which makes for excellence in all intercollegiate programs.
"Mr. Holloman has developed significant fund raising experiences that are important requirements for this new role" said Payton. He is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, where he received the B.A. degree in Communications with a minor in English. He has also completed the Master of Science degree in Sports Administration from the United States Sports Academy, as well as a certificate in fundraising management from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. Mr. Holloman has served as a Track, Football and Basketball Coach in the Charlotte, North Carolina Mecklenburg School District as well as a Special Teams Coordinator. He has taught Social Studies and Language Arts and served as a Prospect Development Associate at Lincoln Financial, also in Charlotte. Prior to coming to Tuskegee University, Mr. Holloman served as Assistant Vice President for Development at Tennessee State University. He has also served as Director of Development at North Carolina A & T State University and as Director of Planned Giving and Donor Relations at Johnson C. Smith University. "He has worked at Tuskegee University since 2004 and has become thoroughly familiar with our athletic programs as well as the University's challenges and opportunities," said Dr. Payton.
Mr. Holloman is married to Maisah A. Holloman, an instructor at Booker T. Washington High School here in Tuskegee. They have three children-one daughter, a sophomore at Tuskegee University, a son who attends Auburn High School, and a daughter who attends Richland Elementary School in Auburn.
Dr. Payton has been cited with distinction by the Board of Trustees for leading the institution to great levels of financial stability, academic excellence and even distinction in athletics. Payton's focus during his retirement year is to stay the course in completing an ambitious agenda that he has led over the last 28 years.
Dr. Benjamin F. Payton was appointed President of Tuskegee University in 1981. Currently, he also serves as the elected Chairman of the Council of Presidents for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and is also the elected Chairman of the presidents of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). During his presidency, Golden Tiger athletic teams have won 32 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships in women's tennis (10), football (9), baseball (7), men's tennis (4) and women's basketball (2). Included among the championships are 20 conference titles for men's sports and 12 for women's sports.
The 2000 and 2007 football teams compiled perfect records, 12-0, and were awarded the Sheridan Black Network National Championship each year. The State of Alabama House of Representative presented Resolution HJR107 to Tuskegee University, commending the football team for winning the 2000 National Black Championship. The team also visited the State Capital.
From 1998 through 2007, the Golden Tigers played in the Pioneer Bowl eight times, winning six of the eight football games.
The football team reached the 500-mark plateau in team victories in 1997 and their 600th win came ten years later in 2007. Under two different coaches, both appointed by Payton, the football team won 10 or more games nine of the last eleven years, 1998-2008. Six players were drafted into the National Football League and 15 signed as free agents with professional football teams from 1982-2009, 1991.
The women's basketball team and tennis teams (men and women), received bids to participate in 12 NCAA regionals.
Additionally, Payton has ushered the development of the following athletic facilities based on a comprehensive athletic master plan:
-Construction of the James Center for basketball, swimming and volleyball, 1987.
-Construction of the Pepsico Tennis Courts, 2001
-Renovation of Logan Hall (to be completed in June 2010)
-Construction of weight and training facility at Abbott Stadium, 2001
-Proposed softball facility (initial planning completed, construction to begin Fall/09)
-New playing surface and sprinkler system installed at Abbott Stadium, 2002
-New aluminum seating, 600 crimson and gold stadium style seats, and Pepsi Cola scoreboard added to Abbott Stadium, 1991
-Alumni Bowl name changed to Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium, 1996
