Fort Valley State University Names Renae Myles Payne, Ed.D., as New Athletic Director

3/16/2023 11:00:00 PM

By: Courtesy of FVSU Marketing & Communications

Fort Valley, Ga. - Fort Valley State University is pleased to announce that Renae Myles Payne, Ed.D., has been named the new director of athletics, effective March 15, 2023. With more than 25 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, she joins FVSU from the University of Miami (UM), where she served as the senior associate athletic director for administration and chief diversity officer.

A welcome press conference is scheduled for Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 2 p.m. at the Christine and Willie C. Jones Amphitheater on the FVSU campus.

"Dr. Myles Payne's exceptional leadership qualities and extensive experience in collegiate athletics make her the ideal candidate for this position," said FVSU President Paul Jones, Ph.D.

"We are excited to have her join the Fort Valley State University family and look forward to working together to elevate our athletic program. I have no doubt FVSU is poised to continue its tradition of excellence and achieve new levels of success."

As FVSU's new athletic director, Myles Payne will oversee the administration, development, and planning for advancing the University's NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic programs. FVSU is a part of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) East Division.

"I am thrilled to join President Jones and Fort Valley State as the director of athletics," said Myles Payne. "When I met President Jones, I instantly knew we would make a great team, and now I get to partner with him, the coaches, staff, and student-athletes to enhance the brand and tradition of FVSU Athletics. I am excited to be a part of the Wildcat family!"

At the University of Miami, Myles Payne led the sports administrators group responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the Hurricanes 18 varsity sports as well as oversight of team travel and the Anthony Travel agreement, saving the department more than $200,000 annually. Other accomplishments include:

Overseeing the program's most lucrative Adidas equipment contract and development of policies and procedures for the department.

Securing a $50,000 gift toward the diving facility project slated to begin this summer.

Creating and leading the Cane Culture Council, a group of athletic employees responsible for enhancing the department's culture through staff recognition, engagement, professional development, and people operations and inclusion.

Creating the UM Athletics Trailblazer Award to honor and recognize former minority student-athletes and others affiliated with athletics.

Developing a five-year diversity and inclusion action plan for the Canes and a webpage dedicated to educating staff on DEI.

Myles Payne has held athletic roles at the University of Connecticut, University of Pittsburgh, San José State University, Delaware State University, Southwest Baptist University, Alabama A&M University, and Winthrop University. Before Miami, she was the senior associate athletic director and chief operating officer at Winthrop University. She was second in command to the director of athletics and developed and managed a $13.5 million budget. She also led the strategic planning process DRIVE'25, and the NCAA recognized the department as a model institution for diverse hiring processes. In addition, Winthrop increased ticket sales and facility rental revenue by 170% under her leadership.

Myles Payne is an active leader on the national scene. She is the vice president of the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) and will assume the presidency this June during the MOAA/NACDA Convention in Orlando, Florida.

She has served on NCAA committees and is a regular presenter at NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics), CABMA (College Athletics Business Management Association), and Women Leaders in College Sports. In 2019, she was named Administrator of the Year in Division I by Women Leaders in College Sports. In addition, she is a member of NADOHE (National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education) and a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Myles Payne received her M.Ed. in Sports Administration from Northwestern State University of Louisiana and her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. She and her husband, Marcus Payne, have two adult daughters, Brianna and Ariana. She is a native of Clarksdale, Mississippi, and a 1997 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where she competed in track and field.

What They're Saying About Dr. Renae:
"I had the great pleasure of working with Dr. Renae Myles Payne during our time together at Winthrop University. There are many positive things I can say about Renae, including her commitment to student athletes and diversity, equity, and inclusion. However, what really separates her from others is her incredible work ethic and her ability to get things done. Before Renae arrived, there were some things that people said we could not accomplish. Renae came in and simply said yes, we can do it and then she always came through. No one will outwork her, and she always did whatever work was necessary to help us accomplish our goals. Fort Valley State University is very fortunate to have her as their next Athletic Director."
Dr. Dan Mahony, President, Southern Illinois University System (former President at Winthrop)

"This is a GAME CHANGING hire for Fort Valley State University! Dr. Renae Myles Payne is one of the best leaders in college athletics and no one deserves this opportunity more than she does. She has mentored a significant number of coaches and administrators in athletics. With that, she brings her strong technical skill set, investment in mentoring leaders, nurturing student athletes and engaging the community and alumni, into the FVSU community. She is a phenomenal woman and an even better administrator. Congratulations Dr. Renae and Fort Valley State!
Dr. China Jude, Vice President/Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Denver Broncos

"Congratulations to Dr. Renae Myles Payne on her appointment as the new Director of Athletics at Fort Valley State University. Renae is a true servant leader with a solid track record of significant success. Her national networks and experience will serve Fort Valley State University Athletics well and I look forward to watching the FVSU Wildcats under her leadership exceed expectations both academically and athletically."
Sean Frazier, Vice President/Director of Athletics & Recreation, Northern Illinois University

"Fort Valley State has hit a home run hiring Dr. Renae Myles Payne as Athletics Director. In our time together at the University of Miami, Dr. Renae was instrumental in creating a winning culture. This was never more important than in 2020, when she led our athletic department through very turbulent times. Our program grew closer together through her work fostering diversity and inclusion and that set the tone for a successful season. I wish her the best of luck leading the Wildcats."
Manny Diaz, Defensive Coordinator, Penn State University (former Head FB Coach at Miami)

"Working with Dr. Renae was empowering and invigorating. She helps everyone she works with identify their strengths and motivates them to use those strengths to move forward. Her investment in student-athletes is unmatched, and she has a knack for connecting with various types of people. She was undoubtedly a catalyst for our team's progress. FVSU is fortunate to have her."
Andy Kershaw, Head Coach Women's Swimming, University of Miami

"Fort Valley State, you just landed an exceptional leader in Dr. Renae Myles Payne. You are getting an Athletic Director that will be committed to the athletic department by putting countless hours into development and supporting the athletic staff. She has no shame in rolling up her sleeves and making sure each program can compete at the highest level while providing a great student-athlete experience. Wildcats, get ready … it's going to be a fun ride!"
Semeka Randall Lay, Head Coach Women's Basketball, Winthrop

"Through her leadership and strong sense of integrity, Dr. Renae garnered the much-needed buy-in from faculty, coaches, student-athletes, and administrators to lay the foundation of a model student-athlete academic support program. Congratulations to her and Fort Valley State University."
Dr. Jan Blade, Sport Management Department Chair, Delaware State University (former FAR)

FVSU Media Contacts:
Britney Smith, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
britney.smith@fvsu.edu

Chris Myers, Director of Athletic Communications
christopher.myers@fvsu.edu

-Wildcats-

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