One on One with
"Dee" Todd
June 20, 2005
By Bonitta Best
The Triangle Tribune
Winston-Salem State alumnae and former ACC assistant commissioner DeLores "Dee" Todd
became North Carolina A&T's first female Director of Athletics
on June 15. Todd brings over 30 years of experience to her new job,
with stints as head women's track coach at both Northwestern and Georgia Tech,
and proven success in interscholastic and intercollegiate athletics.
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DeLores "Dee" Todd |
Todd took time out to discuss her role as
AD for a demanding group of fans, alumni and faculty.
Tribune: Why leave the ACC to work at a historically black university?
Todd: I am a product of an HBCU. I don't see it as going to an HBCU particularly.
I see it as an opportunity to be in charge of my own program, as well as bringing
back to an HBCU all the things that I have learned throughout my career, and
to help influence and impact the lives of young people of color.
Tribune: You applied for the AD job at N.C. Central and the commissioner's
job at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference....
Todd: Let me clarify that. I did NOT apply for the Central job. They came
after me and I agreed to accept it, and then they pulled some interesting things.
I did apply for the MEAC job, however, that position was filled.
Tribune: Talk about the NCCU incident for those who don't know.
Todd: I was sitting here minding my business when I got a call from a friend
who said 'We really need you.' (After talking with Chancellor James Ammons
and others), I told my staff I had the job. I'm all ready for the press conference.
That could have ruined my life.
Tribune: How did that affect you?
Todd: When people started calling me in November about the A&T
job, I'm like "nope, been there, done that, not doing it". I had basically
forgotten about it until Chancellor James Renick called me. He actually sat
down with me and made me very comfortable with his situation and earned my
trust. After talking with him on several occasions, I became more comfortable
with the possibilities and saw this great opportunity.
Tribune: Talking with several well-established professionals, they believe
that at some point in your career, you shouldn't have to apply for a job. How
do you feel?
Todd: I feel that way too. I have received several notices saying that I have
been nominated for various AD jobs and if I was interested, would I please
send in my information. Well, no. You get to a point in life where you have
earned the right for someone to come after you. If they want you, they'll come
after you, and they'll come after you right. That's what happened in this situation.
Tribune: What about the A&T job attracted you the most?
Todd: I've always admired A&T, particularly the following they have in
traveling and the pride they have in their institution. When you talk with
the chancellor, you see that he wants someone that knows athletics and can
take it out of his hands. I made it very clear that if I was going to be the
AD, I have to be allowed to do what I need to do without having to go through
a whole lot of changes. When he was agreeable to that and the fact that I have
such a great network of friendships here, and I don't have to move, it had
a lot of appealing things.
Tribune: Eagle fans fear that with your ambivalence towards NCCU, coupled
with WSSU possibly moving up to Division I, will spell the end of the Aggie-Eagle
Classic. What's your response?
Todd: Yeah, I've heard that. But I'm going to look at every situation very
carefully and evaluate it, and do what is best for NC A&T. The fact that
I'm a WSSU alumnus has nothing to do with it.
Tribune: Where do you see A&T athletics in five years?
Todd: I want you to be able to ride by and say wow, look at the growth of
that athletic department. I want you to be able to watch our team progress
and get NCAA bids, and see that we have truly restored Aggie pride as pride
should be defined.
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