Ford-Kee named Lincoln (Pa.) Director of Athletics
June 24, 2008
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. - Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
has named Dianthia Ford-Kee as its new Director of Athletics.
Ford-Kee comes to Lincoln from Shaw University where she served as
the Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator and
taught courses in Public Administration.
In becoming the first female athletics director in Lincoln's
distinguished 154-year history, Ford-Kee brings a wealth of
teaching, coaching and administrative experience from her time
working with the CIAA and NCAA to the Lincoln athletics department.
Lincoln is in the process of transitioning from Division III to
Division II.
"We are very excited that Ms. Dianthia Ford-Kee will be joining the
Lincoln University staff," Lincoln University president Dr. Ivory
V. Nelson said. "Our current staff has put forth considerable
effort during this period of transition to Division II. I am
confident that Ms. Ford-Kee has not only the experience, but also
the skills to provide the leadership necessary to ensure a
successful transition to Division II as well as develop Lincoln's
programs to promote achievement by our student-athletes both in the
classroom and on the athletic playing fields."
A native of Lawrenceville (NJ), Ford-Kee was named the National
Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA)
NCAA Division II Female Athletic Administrator of the Year in 2006.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration
from Fayetteville State University in 1982 and a master's degree in
Public Affairs from Northern Illinois University in 1984. Among
some of the courses she taught during a 10-year period at Shaw
included Public Personnel Administration, Organized Theory &
Behavior, Introduction to Public Administration and Human
Resources.
"To be selected as the first female Director of Athletics at
Lincoln is an honor and it reflects on Lincoln's rich heritage,"
Ford-Kee said. "I am very excited to become a partner in Lincoln's
reclassification. After meeting the staff and other university
officials, it was evident that the University is committed to
becoming a member of the Division II governance structure."
Ford-Kee served on the NCAA Division II Management Council as the
CIAA Conference representative from 1999-2005. She was also a
member on several national committees including the Committee on
Women's Athletics, Division II Nominating Committee, and NCAA Woman
of the Year. She currently serves on the NCAA Division II
Diversity Project Team and the NCAA Division II Strategic Alliance
Matching Grant Selection Committee.
"I believe my experience on the Management Council will benefit
Lincoln University as we move forward in the reclassification
process," Ford-Kee said. "Also, I have 14 years of NCAA Committee
service and 18 years of experience in the Central Intercollegiate
Athletic Association (CIAA) as a coach, administrator and
conference committee member. I feel confident that my experiences
with both organizations will assist Lincoln University as we
transition from exploratory Division II membership to full Division
II and CIAA membership."
Ford-Kee is no stranger to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic
Association (CIAA). The Fayetteville State University alumnae
enjoyed a successful 14-year coaching career at Shaw in the sports
of volleyball and softball where she won over 500 games
combined.
"For more than 18 years, coach Dianthia Ford-Kee has been an
exceptional steward of our athletic programming here at Shaw
University," Shaw's Director of Athletics Alfonza Carter said. "A
true professional, she has continuously worked as an advocate and
champion for our student-athletes and the Shaw University
Family. I am truly excited at the appointment of her new
position at Lincoln University and she will certainly do well as
Director of Athletics. The entire Shaw University Family
congratulates her and we extend our heartfelt appreciation for her
long standing dedication and stellar service."
Under Ford-Kee, the Lady Bears volleyball team played for the
conference championship four times, winning the championship in
1995. Ford-Kee was also named CIAA Volleyball Coach of the Year
twice (1995 and 2001). Ford-Kee compiled an overall record of
247-158.
Ford-Kee has also enjoyed a tremendous amount of success with her
softball program. Her team members have won NCAA national
statistical honors as well as NCAA Post Graduate
Scholarships. In 1994, 1996 and 2003, Shaw won the CIAA
Softball Championship and Ford-Kee was selected CIAA Softball Coach
of the Year in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 2003. Ford-Kee had a
309-207 overall record as softball coach.
While competing in the sports of basketball and softball as a
student at Fayetteville State University she was a member of the
1979 CIAA Women's Basketball Championship Team and the 1982
Softball Championship Team. Ford-Kee earned several All
Conference and Tournament Team honors and was selected MVP of the
1982 Softball Championship Tournament. In 1982 she was
selected Fayetteville State University's Athlete of the Year and
was the youngest inductee into Fayetteville State University's
Athletic Hall of Fame (1997).
In September, Ford-Kee will be inducted in the inaugural class of
Lawrence High School's Athletic Hall of Fame as the first athlete
in the history of the high school to score over 1,000 points while
playing three years of high school basketball. She currently
holds basketball records that have not been broken at Lawrence High
School in Lawrenceville, NJ in its 40 years of existence.
Founded in 1854, Lincoln University is the first historically black
institution of higher education and its graduates include such
luminaries as Thurgood Marshall, the first African American justice
of the United States Supreme Court, and acclaimed poet and author
Langston Hughes. Lincoln University is nationally regarded
for producing African Americans with undergraduate degrees in the
physical sciences.
