WSSU Names Tonia Walker Athletic Director

TONIA WALKER

"Tonia Walker, associate director of athletics and senior woman administration at Winston-Salem State University, has been named the athletic director for the program effective immediately.

“Tonia has done an outstanding job in every role she has been given within the WSSU athletics program and has a wealth of knowledge of intercollegiate athletics beyond our campus,” said Chancellor Donald J. Reaves.  “Having Tonia as the athletic director brings strong leadership to the program and provides stability for our players, coaches and staff.  Tonia has certainly earned this opportunity and I am absolutely delighted that she is moving into this position on a permanent basis.”

Walker has been serving as interim athletic director since March 1 of this year and had previously served as interim director for nearly a year in 2009.  She joined the WSSU athletics staff in August 2000 as assistant director and head volleyball coach.  In 2002, she resigned her coaching duties to focus on her administrative role.  Walker began her career in athletics in 1993 at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) headquarters.

As associate director of athletics, Walker was responsible for the internal operations of the department and was instrumental in fundraising efforts, the implementation of CHAMPS/Lifeskills programming, the Rams leadership Academy and other initiatives that supported the development of the student athletes and the athletics staff.

Walker has served on numerous committees both nationally and for the university, including serving in various positions with the CIAA and serving on the NCAA Division II Membership Committee.  She is currently a member of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) and of the Minority Opportunities Association, as well as the Black College Coaches and Administrators Association. 

Named the CIAA Senior Woman Administrator for 2003-2004 and 2005-2006, Walker was one of eight participants from throughout the country selected for the NCAA Fellows Leadership Development Program.  She is a graduate of the NACWAA HERS Institute and Executive Institute and was the 2008 recipient of the NACWAA Nell Jackson Award given annually to an athletic administrator who is a strong leader and an advocate for gender equity.

Walker earned a B.A. degree with honors in speech and language disorders from Hampton University and her M.S. degree in sports management from old Dominion University.  While at Hampton, Walker was a two-sport athlete, playing both basketball and softball."

A Press Release