The Red and Black

Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: KRISTIN BOYD Carla Williams, Senior Associate Athletic Director, and her two daughters Camryn, (left), and Carmen, (right), watch the Lady Bulldogs play against on Florida Feb. 14. [Click to enlarge]

When her Lady Dogs career finished, Carla Green Williams went pro in sports, but she always has been at the college level.

After ending her basketball career following the 1988-89 season, Williams started on a track that took her from an assistant coach to her present position as Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student Services, where she is one of the most powerful people in the University Athletic Association.

Williams directs student services for athletes, which include monitoring and aiding the athletes' academic progress.

In her position, she oversees many of the people who gave her guidance as a student-athlete, including Andy Landers, who still coaches the Lady Dogs.

"If I had known she was going to end up being my boss, we probably would have set more screens for her and get her more shots," Landers joked.

The three-year starter ended her career with 1,115 points, 425 assists and 285 steals. Following her career, Williams got her first taste of athletic administration, working as a graduate assistant for Associate Athletic Director Liz Murphey while earning her master's in public administration.

In 1991, she became an assistant coach for Landers. She stayed in that position until she moved to Florida State, where she was a coordinator for student-athlete development and life skills. While in Tallahassee, she earned a doctorate in sports administration.

"It was one of the hardest things that I ever had to do because I was pregnant," Williams said. "I didn't have to do it for my profession, but it helps.

"I feel like we need to always learn. You are at your best when you are continuing to learn new things and better ways to do things, and that is why I continued my education."

After a stint at Vanderbilt, Williams, who grew up a Georgia football fan in LaGrange, wanted to return to her alma mater.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools