Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/909619
DECEMBER 2017 13 BY GREG WATERS O N OCT. 22, CARLA WILLIAMS was named the director of athletics at the University of Virginia. At the introduction ceremony, Virginia president Teresa Sullivan praised Williams. "Her experience as a successful student- athlete, coach, and senior administrator at the highest levels of Division I athletics … impressive," Sullivan said of Williams. "Equally impressive is her commitment to education and the academic pursuits of student-athletes. "Carla will also be a dynamic contribu- tor to the University and Charlottesville communities." The LaGrange, Ga., native — who is slated to begin her new role Dec. 11 — is the first female African-American athletics director at a Power Five conference institu- tion and is the fifth active female athletics director at that level. In her previous role as deputy director of athletics at the University of Georgia, Wil- liams was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department and its $127 million budget. She also served as admin- istrator for the Bulldogs football and Lady Bulldogs women's basketball programs. Williams received her bachelor's degree in sociology and master's in public admin- istration from Georgia — where she played basketball — in 1989 and 1991, respec- tively, and her Ph.D. in sport administration from Florida State in 2000. Williams and her husband, Brian, an asso- ciate professor of public administration and policy in UGA's School of Public & Interna- tional Affairs, have three children — daugh- ters, Carmen and Camryn, and a son, Joshua. Cavalier Corner recently had the oppor- tunity to sit down with Williams. Cavalier Corner: What was it that made you say yes to Virginia? Williams: "It was pretty easy because it's a place I have watched for a long time. I felt like Virginia does it the right way — a world- class university with elite athletes and coaches and sports programs and a great conference. "It's something that appeals to me. It's very important to me that student-athletes have an opportunity to be a part of the uni- versity community, a part of the commu- nity at large, while they are pursuing their academic goals and their athletic goals. Vir- ginia is an ideal place for that. "It's not easy regardless of what confer- ence or level to consistently win conference championships, and it's very difficult to win team national championships. Virginia has done that. Not everyone can say they do that on a consistent basis in several sports. NEW LEADER Carla Williams Takes The Helm Of UVA Athletics Williams was appointed the director of athletics for UVA on Oct. 22 and will start her new role on Dec. 11, 2017. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA