Duck accepts Virginia Union post
BY NEIL FULLER
SPORTS WRITER
Published: Thursday, January 1, 2009 4:11 AM
EST
A warm, friendly smile.
Answers. Timely statistics.
A kind word.
Reporters covering Virginia State athletics over the past few seasons have become familiar with Tamika Duck and the invaluable services she provides as the school's assistant sports information director.
And it should come as no surprise that Duck has earned a promotion.
Duck has accepted the position of sports information director at Virginia Union. She begins her new duties with the Panthers on Jan. 5.
"It's a dream come true," Duck said. "I'm so blessed. Right now, it's still unbelievable."
Duck played basketball at Virginia Union before going to work for Jim Junot in the school's sports information department. She followed Junot to Virginia State when he accepted the SID job in Ettrick.
"I'm really thrilled that Tamika is getting a chance to be an SID," Junot said. "I'm not surprised that someone has hired her so soon. She's been my assistant since I was at Virginia Union and I know how talented she is."
While Junot is saddened to see Duck leave Virginia State, his pride in her quick professional ascension is obvious.
"There's a lot of pride on several levels. Tamika going to VUU shows how much you can learn at Virginia State when you devote yourself to learning the job," Junot said. "Tamika is the second assistant of mine to go on to a full-time position. ... I'm also proud that Tamika will be going to VUU, where I first started as an SID.
"I know I'm not the easiest person to work for, but this isn't an easy profession, and what you learn here at VSU as an assistant will prepare you with finding a job after graduation. Tamika is a prime example of that."
Virginia State's loss will be Virginia Union's gain.
Duck will be filling the void left by Tiffani Sykes, who has served as SID at Virginia Union for the past two years. Sykes has chosen to pursue a master's degree in sports administration from Grambling State.
Sykes graduated from Virginia State in 2001. She also served as a graduate assistant volleyball coach for the Trojans.
"I truly appreciate the opportunity that was given to me to serve Virginia Union University, its student-athletes and coaches", Sykes said.
This marks the second time one of Junot's assistants at Virginia State to be cherry-picked by another school.
Terra Roane, Junot's assistant when he started with the Trojans, went on to a position in the marketing department at the University of the Pacific in California.
- Neil Fuller can be reached at nfuller@progress-index.com.
