Saturday, October 16, 2010

Wheeler Brown dismissed as A&T athletics director

GREENSBORO, N.C. — In his most high-profile move since a student collapsed and died in an unofficial track practice, N.C. A&T Chancellor Harold Martin fired athletics director Wheeler Brown on Friday.

“I commit to you that I will take constructive steps to move our athletics program in a different direction,” Martin said during a news conference at the school.

Brown’s dismissal comes nearly two months after sophomore Jospin “Andre” Milandu, 20, of Knightdale, died on Aug. 19 due to complications of sickle cell trait. He was one of several students participating in the tryout without medical paperwork required by the NCAA.

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Chancellor Memo

Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information
Release: 10/15/2010

TO: University Community
FROM: Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr.
DATE: October 15, 2010
RE: Milandu Internal Investigation Closed

On yesterday, the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner released the autopsy report for our former student, Jospin "Andre" Milandu, showing that he died as a result of "complications of sickle cell trait." Andre, a sophomore from Knightdale, North Carolina, was described by his peers as a caring and kind-hearted young man. His presence has been and will continue to be missed at North Carolina A&T State University.

This continues to be a sad time for the University family, the Department of Athletics, and one beyond measure for the Milandu family. As a parent, my heart continues to ache for Andre's family and friends.

We deeply regret Andre's loss. Since my arrival at North Carolina A&T, I have consistently stressed the importance of adherence to University policies, practices and procedures with all University administrators. This has been reaffirmed throughout my tenure, and even more so since this tragic incident. I commit to you that I will take constructive steps to move our athletics program in a different direction.

Today, I have discontinued the employment of our Athletics Director, Wheeler Brown. I have asked Dr. Deborah Callaway, Special Assistant to the Chancellor, to assume administrative oversight for the immediate future until an interim Athletics Director is named within the next week. I will immediately launch an aggressive, national search for a new leader of our Athletics program.

This new leadership for Athletics will be expected to bring significant managerial and leadership skills, knowledge of Athletics, the ability to develop a high performing organization and the ability to manage the necessary cultural changes to ensure enhanced services, transparency and individual accountability.

Let us continue to pray for the Milandu family.

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