College Football’s black excellence: The first Power 5 Athletic Directors

David Williams was the first Black Athletic Director in the SEC.

If there was any question to the legacy that David Williams had on Vanderbilt and the SEC, the university dedicated the recreation and wellness center after him soon after his passing in 2019.

Williams began his career at Vanderbilt as Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs, tenured law professor, general counsel and university secretary. When then-chancellor Gordon Gee dissolved the athletics department in 2003, Williams responsibility became sports.

During Williams’ tenure as athletic director, a mantle he would officially assume in 2012, the Commodores football program would have its best success in nearly a century.

From 2007 until Williams stepped down in 2019, the Commodores played in six bowl games, winning three and won nine games twice; the Commodores best record since 1948. Before 2007, the Commodores played in three bowl games.

Under Williams, the Commodores upgraded the football facilities including building an indoor practice facility. One of the most important things Williams did while the athletic director was help the school reconcile with Perry Wallace and Godfrey Dillard the school’s first black basketball players.

Williams emphasized the need for the “student” part of student-athlete. Williams knew the importance of life outside of the sports arena.

He petitioned the NCAA to approve a summer internship program. Athletes had the opportunity to study abroad in places like Morocco and Jamaica. The athletic department even adopted a low-income school in Nashville.

Willams took the Commodores athletic department to new heights on and off the field.