Carla Williams (athletic director) facts for kids
Wiliams in 2024
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| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Athletic director |
| Team | Virginia |
| Conference | ACC |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | LaGrange, Georgia, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1987–1989 | Georgia |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 2000–2003 | Vanderbilt (assistant AD) |
| 2003–2004 | Vanderbilt (associate AD) |
| 2004–2008 | Georgia (associate AD) |
| 2008–2011 | Georgia (senior associate AD) |
| 2011–2015 | Georgia (executive AD) |
| 2015–2017 | Georgia (deputy AD) |
| 2017–present | Virginia |
Carla Williams is a very important person in college sports. She is the athletic director for the Virginia Cavaliers. This means she is in charge of all the sports teams and programs at the University of Virginia. Carla Williams made history as the first African American woman to hold this top job in a Power Five athletic department.
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Early Life and Sports
Carla Williams was born in LaGrange, Georgia. Even when she was young, she loved sports! In middle school, she played football as a quarterback and running back. She also played basketball and softball.
High School Basketball Star
When Carla went to LaGrange High School, she was a talented basketball player. She played point guard for a team called the Georgia Metros. Her coaches would drive her two hours to practice and two hours back home. Carla helped her high school team win two state championships. She was even named the most valuable player in the 1985 Georgia All-Star game.
During her senior year, a coach named Andy Landers from the University of Georgia (UGA) noticed her talent. He wanted her to play for his women's basketball team.
College Years
After high school, Carla Williams received a scholarship to play basketball at the University of Georgia. She became a starter in her second year. During that time, she was chosen to play in the United States Olympic Festival.
A Special Player
Carla once asked her coach why he picked her over other players who were ranked higher. He told her she had "all the intangibles" they needed. This meant she had the right attitude, teamwork, and leadership skills. In 1987, she was again selected for the United States Olympic Festival.
Carla played basketball for four years at UGA. She scored 1,115 points in her college career. She was also chosen for the All-SEC team and was one of the top ten scorers in UGA women's basketball history. She earned a degree in sociology in 1989.
Starting Her Career in Sports Administration
After college, Carla Williams played professional basketball in Spain for a short time. But then, she decided to go back to the University of Georgia to get her Master's degree.
From Player to Coach
After getting her Master's degree, Carla became an assistant coach for the Lady Bulldogs basketball team. This was the same team she played for! As a coach, she helped the team reach the Final Four in 1995 and 1996. They even played in the national championship game in 1996.
After five years as a coach, Carla moved to Florida State University (FSU). She took a job in the student services office, even though it meant earning less money. While at FSU, she also earned her doctorate degree in sports administration. She even volunteered to help the athletic director with different tasks.
Moving Up in Athletics
After finishing her doctorate, Carla got a job at Vanderbilt University. She was an associate athletics director. She helped manage several sports teams, including women's basketball and soccer. In 2004, she returned to the University of Georgia. She started as an associate director and worked her way up to deputy athletics director.
As an athletics director at Georgia, Carla Williams was part of important national sports groups. She was recognized as one of the top Senior Woman Administrators in the NCAA. She also received an award called the Athens Woman of Distinction.
Making History at Virginia
After working for 13 years in athletic administration at Georgia, Carla Williams made history. In 2017, she became the first African-American woman to lead an athletic department at a Power 5 school. Power 5 schools are part of the biggest and most competitive college sports conferences, like the ACC, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and Pac-12.
She joined the University of Virginia as their athletic director. One of her first big projects was called "The Master Plan." This plan was designed to improve the sports facilities for the football team and other Olympic sports at UVA. For all her hard work, Carla Williams received the Bill Hartman Award from UGA. This award honors people who have shown excellence in their careers and helped others.
Personal Life
Carla Williams is married to Brian Williams. They have three children together.
