Former Xavier employee becomes Savannah State's AD

Savannah State University athletic
director, Sterling Steward Jr.

NEW ORLEANS — Savannah State University announced Friday the hiring of Sterling Steward Jr. as director of intercollegiate athletics. Steward is a native of New Orleans and a former Xavier University of Louisiana employee.

Steward, 40, worked at Xavier from 1999-2004 — first as director of campus recreational sports, then as assistant athletics director. He also worked in the athletics departments at Mississippi Valley State, Alabama State, Kentucky State and Eastern Oregon.

"Xavier was my first professional job with major athletics responsibilities," Steward said.

"Xavier gave me a solid foundation on how to operate a successful athletics program without winning at all costs yet still graduate a high percentage of student-athletes. I am thoroughly thankful to have had that opportunity to serve at Xavier."

Steward is a 1988 graduate of St. Augustine High School and received degrees from Southern Mississippi in 1993 and 1996. His wife, the former Rachael Thompson, is a 2001 Xavier graduate.

Steward is not the first with connections to Xavier and Savannah State. Theodore "Ted" Wright coached basketball, football and track at Xavier in the 1930s and '40s and later did the same at Savannah State, which named its football/track stadium after him.

Savannah State, an NCAA Division I member in Savannah, Ga., became a full member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Sept. 1 after 14 months of provisional membership.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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