Tougaloo College Coleman Receives GCAC A.D. of Year Award

TOUGALOO, Mississippi  -  The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) recently announced its 2012 Athletic Director of the Year.   Dr. James C. Coleman Athletic Director at Tougaloo College, received this prestigious honor voted on by his fellow ADs.

Coleman, a 1961 graduate of Tougaloo College, will be celebrating 50 years of service as a longtime educator and administrator this year. Coleman began his journey in athletics as a coach and moved up to athletic director after serving in several other positions like sports information director and athletic trainer. After countless years in athletics, Coleman moved from athletics to take on other administrative duties. In 2005, Coleman accepted the position again. Under his leadership, the athletics department has soared to unexpected heights.

After accepting the job, one of Coleman first assignments was hiring head men's basketball coach Lafayette Stribling. Since hiring Stribling, the men's basketball program has brought home 4 regular season championships and 1 tournament championship. They have also been to the national tournament 5 out of the last 6 years, including 2 trips to the "Sweet Sixteen." Also under the leadership of Dr. Coleman, the program has brought international athletes, a new volleyball program, and a growing women's basketball and baseball program.

Coleman brought a women's volleyball program to Tougaloo in 2011. In only their second season, the Lady Bulldogs volleyball team finished 5th with a conference record of 5-5. Head Coach, Shandrea Taylor, received GCAC Coach of the Year and two players were on the All-Conference Team. In 2005, Coleman was honored for his longtime success in athletics with the naming of the outdoor athletic complex the Dr. James C. Coleman Athletic Complex, which includes the baseball field.

After receiving his bachelor's degree from Tougaloo, Coleman also received a master's degree from Tennessee State University and a doctorate of education from the University of Mississippi. Coleman is married to Dr. Marilyn Houston-Coleman and is the father of five children, all of whom graduated from Tougaloo College.

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