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FAMU Board of Trustees approves three-year contract to hire new athletic director Angela Suggs
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- FAMU Board of Trustees approves three-year contract to hire new athletic director Angela Suggs
This story was updated to add new information.
It's official.
Angela Suggs will lead the next chapter of Florida A&M Athletics .
On Friday, FAMU's Board of Trustees unanimously approved a three-year, $750,000 contract ($250,000 annually) for Suggs to become the next Vice President and Director of Athletics.
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Suggs will receive performance-based incentives for reaching thresholds such as securing game guarantees, external fundraising, and increasing ticket sales separate from Investing in Champions packages, among other duties.
Suggs' unsigned contract can be located on FAMU's website.
Suggs will arrive at FAMU from serving as the Florida Sports Foundation's President and Chief Executive Officer. The 1992 FAMU economics graduate Suggs will start her tenure as FAMU's athletic director on Monday, Oct. 7.
FAMU Interim President Dr. Timothy Beard reviewed "the profiles of few candidates" for the athletic director position and found Suggs to be the best fit.
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"Mrs. Suggs has established a stellar reputation within the sports industry," Beard said of FAMU's next athletic director. "Her profound industry and knowledge and dedication to excellence can elevate FAMU athletics to a prominent position in collegiate sports ― driving our athletic program to new levels of success on and off the field."
Suggs replaces former FAMU athletic director Tiffani-Dawn Sykes , who announced she no longer worked at FAMU last month amidst a leadership shakeup administered by Beard. Longtime FAMU employee Michael Smith serves as the Acting Athletics Director.
"Accepting the role of Vice President and Director of Athletics at my alma mater is truly an honor," Suggs said in a statement released by FAMU on Friday evening.
"Florida A&M University is world-class in its mission, values, and pursuit of excellence in academics and athletics. I am truly humbled by the trust placed in me and look forward to locking arms and working together with all stakeholders in moving FAMU Athletics forward."
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Per Suggs' Florida Sports Foundation bio , she advocated for Florida's sports industry, generating over $70 billion in economic impact annually, assisting communities with securing, hosting, and retaining sporting events and sports-related business through the Florida Sports Foundation's grant programs, providing participation opportunities in the Sunshine State Games and Florida Senior Games, and assisting national and state governing bodies to promote amateur sport development.
Before the Florida Sports Foundation, Suggs worked in FAMU's athletic department in various roles from 2009 to 2017.
At FAMU, Suggs athletics' Marketing and Promotions, Development, Athletics Communications, Licensing and Branding. Suggs was FAMU's athletics' primary liaison with campus direct support organizations, neutral site games, affinity/support groups, and community relations. She also managed administration FAMU sports teams ― men's and women's Track and Field, Cross Country, softball, men's and women's tennis teams, and Rattlers spirit groups.
Suggs is a member of FAMU's Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc . Before college, she attended FAMU High School (now FAMU Developmental Research School). She has a master's degree from St. Thomas University.
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"She got highly recommended by a number of reputational individuals throughout the state," Beard said of Suggs.
Otis Cliatt II was the only FAMU trustee to comment at Friday's eight-minute meeting.
"As a board, we need to be consistent. Because this was very inconsistent. End of comment," Cliatt said.
Suggs will have her introductory press conference on Monday, Sept. 23, at 10:30 a.m. inside the Al Lawson Center on FAMU's campus.
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 .
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida A&M Board of Trustees approves 3-year deal for new AD Angela Suggs
