by Shawn Nowlin
Roanoke College (RC) has a proud, deep sports history. Come July 1, the direction of RC’s athletic department will be in the hands of Curtis Campbell who comes to the Salem campus with more than two decades of experience working in intercollegiate athletics.
Campbell most recently served as the director of athletics at Morehouse College in Atlanta. Prior to that, he held the same post at Stillman College, Tuskegee University, and Western Oregon University.
Aside from reporting directly to RC President Frank Shushok Jr., Campbell will also serve as a member of the President’s cabinet, providing strategic and visionary leadership for every RC sports program.
“After conducting a thorough national search, we are thrilled to welcome Curtis as our new athletic director,” Shushok said in a press release. “I am confident that Curtis will bring further excellence to Roanoke College, enhance our teams and our school spirit, and build on the Maroon pride felt throughout our community.”
More than half of RC’s annual student body participates in outdoor or athletic activities. RC’s varsity sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, cycling, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, and wrestling. Unlike Division I or Division II institutions, DIII schools do not offer athletic scholarships.
A charter member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), RC’s hiring of Campbell comes just as it announced plans to relaunch its football program for the first time in decades.
“I am grateful to President Shushok and the leadership at Roanoke College for selecting me for this opportunity,” Campbell said. “Roanoke College is devoted to student learning, student success, and athletic excellence. I am impressed with the outstanding coaches, staff, and student-athletes who are competing for ODAC championships. The athletic history, incredible facilities, and warm community all drew me to this position. There are many new and exciting things happening at Roanoke College, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Campbell has served on numerous NCAA committees, both on the Division I and Division II level. At Radford University, he earned a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Development along with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Longwood University.
Campbell replaces Scott Allison, who was athletic director for 36 years. Now that he is part of the Roanoke College family, Campbell says he is beyond excited to roll up his sleeves and get to work.
