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University of Georgia deputy athletic director Carla Williams has been announced as athletic director at the University of Virginia. The Daily Press (Newport News, Virginia) reported the hire Saturday. Williams, a Georgia alumna and a former professional basketball player, is the first African-American female AD among the 64 Power 5 conference schools. Williams succeeds Craig Littlepage, who is retiring. Littlepage was the first African-American athletic director in the ACC upon his 2001 hiring. "The University of Virginia is excited to welcome Carla Williams to lead our athletics department," president Teresa Sullivan said in a press release. "Her experience as a successful student-athlete, coach, and senior administrator at the highest levels of Division I athletics is impressive. Equally impressive is her commitment to education and the academic pursuits of student-athletes. Carla will also be a dynamic contributor to the University and Charlottesville communities." "I think Carla is spectacular," said University of Virginia president-elect Jim Ryan. "She is exceedingly well-prepared for this role, but more than that, she is fiercely committed to excellence in both athletics and academics and has a track record of success in both arenas. I cannot wait to work with Carla, a kindred spirit who sees leadership as a chance to serve those around her and to create the conditions for their success." During Williams' tenure as an administrator at Georgia, its athletics teams won 16 NCAA team championships and 37 Southeastern Conference titles.
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