Fayetteville State University (FSU) Chancellor James A. Anderson announced Wednesday the appointment of Anthony Todd Bennett as Director of Athletics at FSU. The appointment was voted upon and approved by the FSU Board of Trustees.
“We conducted a nationwide search to identify a candidate who would be the best fit for Fayetteville State University, and who could move our athletic department into national prominence,” Chancellor Anderson said. “I truly feel we have found such an individual in Mr. Bennett. He is a rising star in intercollegiate athletics administration and we feel extremely fortunate to have found someone of his caliber. I look forward to having him as a member of my cabinet, and I am confident that he has the skills necessary to move our athletic program forward while at the same time serve an advocate for our student athletes.”
Bennett has 10 years of managerial experience as an athletics administrator at the collegiate level. Prior to his appointment at FSU, he served as Associate Athletic Director at CIAA rival Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). At WSSU, Bennett provided oversight of 12 athletic programs, five support programs, and a $4 million athletic budget.
Bennett is no stranger to FSU athletics. For five years, he served as Assistant Director for Operations and Athletic Compliance. His duties included oversight of the day-to-day operations of the FSU Athletic Department, coordinating logistics for 10 athletic and special events sponsored by the FSU Athletics Department, and supervision of the sports information staff, athletic trainers, and student academic support staff. He also served as the liaison for FSU and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) regarding compliance issues, eligibility, and certification concerns.
At FSU, Bennett will be responsible for 10 varsity sports programs and more than 20 coaches and assistants. Other duties will include oversight of the department’s fiscal resources, ensuring compliance with all relevant institutional, CIAA, UNC system and NCAA rules and regulations; and developing, implementing, and continuously updating the Strategic Plan for the department.
“I am excited to come back to the place that played such a major role in my personal and professional development,” Bennett said. “I look forward to working with Chancellor Anderson and his administrative team as we seek to raise the profile of the FSU athletic program and as we endeavor to produce quality student athletes. I also want to thank him for this tremendous opportunity to come back and serve my alma mater in such an important capacity.”
A native of Laurinburg, N.C., Bennett received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from FSU in 1995, and a Master of Business Administration in 2000. As an undergraduate student, he was a Chancellor’s Scholar and football scholarship recipient. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Bennett is the father of two children, Bryce, 9 and Graycen, 3.
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