After 13 years in the athletic department at the University of Georgia, former professional basketball player Carla Williams is taking on an exciting new position at the University of Virginia.
It an announcement last week, the Daily Press confirmed that the Georgia graduate would accept the position of athletic director for the University of Virginia Cavaliers. The new role makes her the first Black woman to lead an athletic department at a Power Five school. As reported by the Pittsburgh Courier, Williams received a five-year contract that will pay her $550,000 per year, plus incentives.
“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to lead one of the nation’s elite athletics programs,” Williams said in a statement. “Academic achievement, athletic excellence, operating with integrity, a commitment to maximum effort at all times and a strong sense of teamwork and unity are the core principles that will guide our athletics department under my leadership.”
Prior to the well-deserved accomplishment, Williams, who completed her Ph.D at Florida State, was also the first African American athletic director in ACC history.
In addition to being in the athletic administration for the Georgia Bulldog’s, William’s resume includes a tenure as the associate director of athletics at Vanderbilt. During her college years, the 49-year-old was also an All-Southern Conference guard for Georgia from 1985-1989 before playing professionally in Spain.
Williams is expected to assume her position at UVA in December or January. Congratulations to her and all the Black women who continue to break glass ceilings!