4/22/2010 10:21:58 AM

FVSU appoints director of athletics

Dr. Percy Caldwell

FORT VALLEY, GA (April 21, 2010) – Dr. Terrance Smith, Fort Valley State University's vice president for the Office of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, has announced the appointment of the Wildcat's new director of athletics. “After an extensive national search, it is with great pleasure that I appoint Dr. Percy Caldwell as FVSU's new director of athletics. Dr. Caldwell has a proven record of success in athletics as noted by accomplishments in the areas of compliance, fundraising, facilities and overall athletics operations. His demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, academic excellence, competitive success, staff development, fiscal accountability, community outreach and the educational enhancement of student-athletes make him an ideal fit during this time of unprecedented growth.”

Most recently, Caldwell served as consultant to the president and interim director of athletics at Miles College. In that capacity, his responsibilities included crafting a compliance system in response to recent NCAA sanctions; drafting and implementing a compliance manual and student handbook; and developing a business improvement plan for the college. Earlier in his career, as an administrator and coach at Miles, Caldwell led the basketball team to four consecutive conference championships, advancing to the NCAA Division III finals once.

Prior to employment at Miles College, the last eight years were spent as director of athletics at Winston-Salem State University. While there, he helped the Rams transition from the NCAA Division II level to NCAA Division I competition (Football Championship Subdivision in football) through a five-year reclassification program.

Under Dr. Caldwell's leadership and guidance, WSSU completed construction of a $5.1 million athletic field house, a $1.3 million track and field complex, and a tennis facility. Prior to his departure, construction began on a state-of-the-art softball complex, as well as a first-class football practice field.

At Iowa Valley Community College District, Caldwell was the director of planning and development; and his 35-year background in collegiate athletics includes service as the athletic director and head basketball coach at West Virginia State College, head basketball coach at South Carolina State University and assistant basketball coach and physical education instructor at Livingston University.

For steady leadership, a vision and commitment to excellence, the administrator was awarded West Virginia Conference Coach of the Year in 1990 and Athletic Director of the Year in 1989. He built program funding from $200,000 in 1987 to $500,000 in 1988 and increased it to more than $1.5 million while at WVSC.

Caldwell also was named Coach of the Year in 1978 by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference; Miles College Teacher of the Year in 1979 and its Most Outstanding Administrator in 1977.

The Miles College graduate earned a bachelor's degree in sociology/psychology, a master's in health, physical education and recreation at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, and a Ph.D. in higher education administration at Iowa State University. He is married and the father of two children.

Caldwell begins at FVSU June 1 and replaces Wilson Gosier who announced his return to retirement four months ago.

For more information, please contact Charles Ward, FVSU's sports information director, at (478) 825-6437.

-Wildcats Athletics-

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FVSU appoints director of athletics