It’s her time to shine!
HBCU Florida A&M recently named Tiffani-Dawn Skyes as their new athletic director, HBCU Sports reports.
Women have had a huge impact on the sports industry! Just this year, Sandra Morgan Douglass made history as the first Black-woman president of the NFL Las Vegas Raiders; Maia Chaka became the first Black woman to officiate an NFL game; Malika Andrews was the first woman to host the NBA Draft, and Morgan Cato became the NBA’s first Black Assistant General Manager.
Tiffani-Dawn Skyes is no different, and her career is a prime example of hard work! In 2001, Skyes graduated from Virginia State University with a bachelor's degree in health, physical education, recreation and dance. She was team captain of the volleyball team and a three-year track and field letterwoman. She went on to earn her master's degree in sports administration at Grambling State University.
Upon graduating, she started her career at St. Paul’s College in Sports Information. She’s also worked as Sports Information Director at Virginia Union University. In October of 2019, she was hired by Dartmouth College as an Associate Athletics Director for compliance and promoted a year later to the Senior Associate Athletics Director for varsity sports. Her most recent promotion came this year, moving to Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for varsity sports and still maintaining the senior woman administrator position. Now, after Sarah Hill-Yates who worked at FAMU in 1977-1988, Skyes stands as the second woman Director of Athletics in FAMU’s history.
“I’m honored to have been chosen to lead one of the nation’s most historic athletic programs. With this being the 50th anniversary of Title IX, I recognize the significance of my joining the FAMU family in this role,” Skyes said. "I look forward to working with all of the Rattlers in continuing the outstanding legacy that resides on the "Highest of Seven Hills,” she continued.
FAMU President Larry Robinson said in a statement, “We are happy to welcome Ms. Tiffani-Dawn Sykes into the FAMUly. Her credentials are impeccable and her demonstrated commitment to excellence are what we need to move our program forward. I am excited about this hire and look forward to working with her to take FAMU to the next level. I must also extend a special thank you to Interim VP/AD Michael Smith for his exemplary service during his tenure.”
Congratulations, Tiffani!
Photo: Darmouth/CIAA