Story by
Angela Suggs assumes FAMU's athletic director role aiming to 'serve' and 'listen'
- Story by
- Angela Suggs assumes FAMU's athletic director role aiming to 'serve' and 'listen'
Angela Suggs is back where it all started.
Appointed as Florida A&M's new Vice President and Director of Athletics last Friday, Suggs returns to a place she's known all her life.
Suggs was born at FAMU's on-campus hospital , which closed in 1971 and is now the Foote-Hilyer Administration Building.
Advertisement
Additionally, Suggs graduated from FAMU High School, now named FAMU Developmental Research School, and earned her bachelor's degree in economics on The Highest of Seven Hills in 1992.
Professionally, Suggs worked at FAMU from 2009 to 2017 in various roles in the athletic department.
"I'm home, Rattlers," a teary-eyed Suggs said at her introductory press conference as FAMU's athletic director on Monday at the Al Lawson Center.
"I grew up on this campus. I love FAMU," Suggs added.
Suggs comes to FAMU from the Florida Sports Foundation, serving as the Vice President and Chief Executive Officer since 2017.
Advertisement
Before joining the FSF, Suggs got her first job at FAMU to start the 1,000 Strikes fundraising campaign under former athletic director Bill Hayes . From there, she landed full-time roles in FAMU Athletics, such as the Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs and Senior Woman Administrator.
Suggs will be on a three-year contract worth $750,000 ($250,000 annually) as FAMU's athletic director. Her first day is on Monday, Oct. 7.
Suggs replaces Tiffani-Dawn Sykes, who departed from FAMU's athletic director role last month after 20 months on the job. Former FAMU football player and longtime athletics administrator Michael Smith served as FAMU's Acting Athletic Director during the hiring process.
"She comes with a very impressive background in athletics and demonstrates integrity, intentional passion, and strategic energy," FAMU Interim President Dr. Timothy Beard said of Suggs. "Suggs grew up here on this campus and lives our values ― understands our culture and illustrates our work ethic at the highest level."
Advertisement
Angela Suggs to make her rounds as FAMU's new athletic director
Florida A&M's new Vice President and Director of Athletics Angela Suggs speaks at an introductory press conference while Interim President Timothy Beard listens Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.
Suggs often repeated that as athletic director, she will listen.
She met with FAMU's head coaches on Monday before her introductory press conference. She plans to meet with coaches one-on-one, student-athletes, the athletics staff, and FAMU's senior administration.
"I am here to serve. I will listen," Suggs said.
"There's no way I can come into a plan without having spoken to our coaches, student-athletes, stakeholders, and fans about the experience they will pour into time and time again. I've got to hear and understand what's going on because anything else would be me assuming that I know ― and I don't. And listening is a part of learning. We're going to be solution-focused and results-oriented.
Advertisement
"And the only way we can do that is to hear what solutions are required."
New FAMU athletic director Angela Suggs plans to uphold Rattlers sports standards
Florida A&M's new Vice President and Director of Athletics Angela Suggs speaks at an introductory press conference Monday, Sept. 23, 2024
FAMU has won seven Southwestern Athletic Conference titles since joining the league in 2021.
During the 2023-2024 athletic year, FAMU collected two national championships in football and golf . That was the first time FAMU won multiple national titles in the same season.
Suggs looks to bring more trophies to the top public HBCU, which operates 13 sports.
"My vision for FAMU Athletics is to win championships, create a stellar student-athlete experience, and create an experience for our coaches and staff," Suggs said.
Advertisement
"Bring FAMU into the community, bring championships home, and contribute to what is a championship town," Suggs added. "It's the hometown success, what Tallahassee is about, and what Florida A&M is about."
'850, Big Bend, stand up!' Angela Suggs wants packed houses at FAMU's athletic events
Florida A&M's new Vice President and Director of Athletics Angela Suggs speaks at an introductory press conference Monday, Sept. 23, 2024
Suggs wants FAMU to be the hottest ticket in college athletics.
FAMU football is typically near the top of the nation in attendance . The Rattlers hold the second-longest winning streak in the Football Championship Subdivision by prevailing in 21 straight games at Bragg Memorial Stadium , dating back to 2019.
Advertisement
FAMU's basketball program has a glimmer of hope with new coaches leading the programs ― Patrick Crarey II , entering his first season as head men's basketball coach, and second-year head women's basketball coach Bridgette Gordon .
"We want all 9,000 seats filled to see our men's and women's basketball teams play. We want seats in Bragg Memorial Stadium, Ken Riley Field," Suggs said. "We want to sell out. We want to bring the city out ― the 850, stand up ― the Big Bend area, stand up and come out.
"We want Florida A&M athletics to be a center of this community and an opportunity for people to share in our success."
So, what will help Suggs succeed as FAMU's 19th athletic director?
Advertisement
Unity, investing, and support.
"We got to lock arms," Suggs said.
"It's our team. It's our time. It's our school. It's our Rattlers. It's our fangs up. We're doing this together. We will win. We're going to be win-makers. We're going to invest.
"And we're going to do it now."
Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee .
No one covers the Rattlers like the Tallahassee Democrat. Subscribe using the link at the top of the page and never miss a moment.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: What new FAMU AD Angela Suggs said in her 1st address to Rattler Nation
