Page 26 - N.C. A&T Magazine Spring 2019

athletics

By Brian M. Holloway ’97

hilTon nameD an unDer armour

aThleTiC DireCTor oF The Year

Colleges—and annually and outdoor conference on excellence in both
honor 28 athletics directors championships over the academic and athletic
(four from each division). past three years. This past performance, but an
February, N.C. A&T became outstanding role model for
Hilton has served as North the first MEAC institution the coaches and student
Carolina A&T’s athletics to win three consecutive athletes in our athletics
director for eight years, conference championships program,” said Chancellor
leading its 17 Division in both men’s and women’s Harold L. Martin Sr. “He
I sports teams from indoor track and field. leads with his values, never
challenging circumstances In 2018-19, the women’s avoids the tough decisions
to unprecedented basketball team went and requires that his teams
success on the field and undefeated in the MEAC compete with honor. I
in the classroom. Under marking the first time in could not ask for anything
Hilton, the Aggies have school history the program more from an athletics
won a combined 26 has accomplished the feat. director. This award is
conference regular-season, richly deserved.” Parker looks ForWarD To seConD
championship meets or Numerous Aggies have
Intercollegiate Athletics tournament championship moved on to professional Prior to his service as season WiTh oaklanD raiDers By Jordan M. Howse
Director earl m. hilTon iii titles, played in 11 post- competition over the past athletics director, Hilton
has been named an Under season bowl or tournament few years, as well, including served the university as
Armour Athletics Director games and they have won Tarik Cohen of the Chicago assistant athletics director Going to the NFL was a huge transition for Another highlight for Parker was meeting former
of the Year for NCAA FCS seven games or matches Bears and Brandon “Big for compliance, associate Brandon ParKer ’18. Not only did it come with teammate Tony McRae on the field when Oakland
institutions, the National there. Stuff” Parker of the Oakland athletics director for internal a cross-country relocation, it also came with a new took on the Cincinnati Bengals in December.
Association of Collegiate Raiders in the NFL and affairs and assistant vice kind of playbook.
Directors of Athletics In football, Aggies have Cutter Dyals in the Atlanta chancellor for student affairs. “It’s like walking in class and seeing your best friend,”
announced March 7. won three of the four Braves organization of Parker, who was drafted by the Oakland Raiders Parker said. “We could see each other’s faces light
Celebration Bowls held Major League Baseball. Hilton received his in 2018, said his rookie season was tough but up. It’s exciting to see him doing his thing and us
The Under Armour awards thus far, an event that pits In amateur competition, bachelor’s degree in enlightening. living our dreams.”
program was created the winners of the Mid- women’s track star Kayla political science in 1992
to honor intercollegiate Eastern Athletic Conference White and men’s standout from Lamar University. He “The transition to the NFL is tough,” he said. In the offseason, Parker is working out, spending
directors of athletics (in which A&T competes) Chris Belcher logged global also has a master’s degree “Obviously it’s a higher skill level, but it’s also stepping time with his wife Dominque and looking forward to
for commitment and against the Southwestern and national best times in public administration and into the adult world. It’s the same game you’ve been thriving in his next season as a Raider.
administrative excellence Athletic Conference. The in the 200-meter and a juris doctorate from Texas playing but (now) it’s your livelihood and how you
within a campus or college annual event is the de facto 100-meter sprints. Tech University. support your family. It’s way more serious.” “I want to see the difference a year makes,” he said.
community environment national championship of “Now that I’ve played a year, I know what to expect. I
over the past year. The black college football. Academic performance Parker was thrust into play in the Raiders’ season want to see how much can be done to improve what
awards span seven among student-athletes has opener against the Cleveland Browns after his I can do.”
divisions—NCAA FBS, FCS, In men’s and women’s track, grown just as strong. teammate Donald Penn left the game with an injury.
Division I-AAA, II, III, NAIA/ Aggies have been even
Other Four-Year Institutions more dominant, winning “Earl is not only an “I wasn’t even supposed to play,” he said with a
and Junior/Community a combined nine indoor exceptional leader, focused laugh. “But getting in there for the first time in our
first game was definitely a highlight.”

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