Mr. Charles Ward
Sports Information Director
Fort Valley State University (FVSU)

Mr. Ward started in sports management in 1996 as the Director of Public Relations for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). He transitioned into management after providing sports casting services to one of the schools in the SIAC.

In 2002, he served as associate athletics director and sports information director at Clark Atlanta University. With the hiring of a new head football coach that year that had regional and national notoriety, he spearheaded the launch of a sponsorship and broadcast campaign, which gave the Clark Atlanta athletic program exposure to over 800,000 television households. The sponsorship program was one of the most successful in the history of Clark Atlanta athletics.

Interview

1. Q What exactly do you do as a sports information director?

A: My primary responsibility is to ensure that statistics from each intercollegiate activity are properly reported to the conference office and the NCAA. In addition, I am responsible for coordinating publicity for the 11 sports that the department offers.
2. Q Were you an athlete as a youth, if yes, what sports?

A: Yes. In high school I played basketball and baseball. In college, I played baseball and golf.

3. Q Has your career always been at an HBCU?

A: Yes. I started as adjunct professor of history at Morehouse College then served as director of public relations for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Subsequently, I was associate athletics director and sports information director at Clark Atlanta University. My current position is sports information director at Fort Valley State University.

4. Q What is the future of sports at FVSU- new stadium activities, sports camps etc.?

A: FVSU athletics is on the cusp of becoming one of the premiere Division II programs in the country. With a new 10,000 seats football stadium that opened last year; a 5,000 seat basketball area; and a new softball field, the athletic facilities are some of the best in the nation for a division II program.

This summer there will be a total of six basketball camps and two football camps held in FVSU athletic facilities.

This fall, with the start of the 2010 football season, FVSU athletics will launch a new multi-platform broadcast model to extend the FVSU brand.

5. Q Can you talk a little about the 2010 homecoming at FVSU?

A: Homecoming 2010 will build on the model set in 2009. In an expected sell out, FVSU will host conference rival Benedict College. A week’s worth of activities for students, staff & faculty, alumni, and the Fort Valley community highlight the annual game. Last year’s tailgate venue attracted one of the largest crowds in tailgating history at FVSU.

6. Mr Ward thank you so much for your time. I am looking forward to the upcoming season and sports activities at FVSU.