Athletics | September 30th, 2024

FAMU names Angela Suggs as Vice President and Athletic Director

By: Jada Pierre

Florida A&M University (FAMU) has appointed Angela Suggs as the new Vice President and Director of Athletics, beginning an exciting chapter for the university’s athletic department.

Suggs, a proud FAMU alumna, has deep roots at the institution. According to HBCU Gameday, she was the first person born on FAMU’s campus and attended FAMU’s elementary and high schools (now known as FAMU Developmental Research School).

Her strong connection to the university and its culture has earned her the title of a “true rattler through and through.”

Suggs’ contributions to FAMU athletics are already well-known. While working under former Athletic Director Bill Hayes, Suggs initiated the 1,000 Strikes Campaign. This innovative fundraising initiative was FAMU’s first major athletic campaign to raise money beyond the traditional means of ticket sales and parking fees. The campaign was a success and showcased Suggs’ visionary leadership.

As she steps into her new role, Suggs brings an impressive array of experience and community involvement. 

She has affiliations with various prestigious organizations, including the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators, the National Association of Athletic Development Directors, Leadership Tallahassee, the FAMU National Alumni Association, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also serves on several influential boards, including the Florida Historic Capitol Museum and the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Foundation.

Taylor Adams, an athletics communication and media intern, expressed enthusiasm for Suggs’ appointment because of her extensive background. 

“With her leadership experience as Rattlers’ Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs, Senior Woman Administrator, the Florida Sports Foundation’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and marketing, I believe she will have the absolute best interest for all student-athletes and supporters of FAMU Athletics,” Adams said. 

Kaya Brown, an athletic marketing intern, also echoed her excitement. 

“I believe that Director Suggs has the perfect foundation to bring a renewed sense of direction to the FAMU Athletic Department as a whole,” Brown said. “This university has a special culture, and she already has her place in it. I’m excited to see if we can get university athletics back on track, increase stability in administration and bring home some more national championships this year.”

Suggs’ appointment comes at a time when the university is eager to build on its athletic success. With her first day of a three-year contract set to Monday, Oct. 7, Suggs is poised to lead the department to new heights.