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Don Hansen's Football Gazette Blog of information, comments, notes, and tidebits on Small College Football. NCAA 1-AA & Mid Major, Division II & Mid Major, Division III, NAIA, and NCCAA

Thursday, June 30, 2005

Stillman Athletics Programs Get Division II Go-Ahead, Director

TUSCALOOSA, AL --- Stillman College has gained NCAA Division II status. The action, finalized during a series of meetings with the Division II Membership Committee June 23-24 in Orlando, FL, becomes effective Sept. 1, President Ernest McNealey said.

The move means that Stillman, a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) provisional member since 2003, will also be a full-fledged SIAC member, eligible to qualify for national championships and rankings in NCAA statistical categories.

Along with its new division and full conference membership status, the Stillman Athletics Department will also gain new leadership. Effective July 1, Dr. W. Curtis Williams will assume the position of Athletics Director. Williams has more than 20 years of experience as an athletic director, with stints at Alabama State, Albany State (GA), Fort Valley State (GA) and Tuskegee. He comes to the post from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where he was chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

Williams has also served as a member of the Division I-AA Football Ranking Committee, the NCAA South Advisory Committee, and the Division I-AA Athletic Directors Association.

Williams said he was delighted to have the opportunity to work with the coaches and Stillman community in bringing Stillman's athletic programs to the level of excellence reflected in its academic programs. "Dr. McNealey and his staff are to be commended for putting Stillman in the most advantageous position for athletic success and for joining the SIAC and the NCAA at the Division II level. My commitment is to build on this foundation and bring a championship to Stillman," Williams said.