Prairie View A&M Athletic Director stepping down

Fred Washington informed Prairie View A&M University last week that he was stepping down immediately for personal reasons. The news was first reported by Mike Prince on his radio show.

BREAKING NEWS
it has been revealed that Prairie View A&M University Athletic Director Fred Washington will be stepping down immediately…

— TheMikePrinceShow (@OBN_Radio) August 9, 2019

Washington is an alumnus of Prairie View with a bachelor’s, masters and doctoral degree all from PVAMU. He worked in several capacities for the university over the last 27 years.

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Saddened by the news my AD is retiring…what a legacy he has left! Amazing journeys often involve incredible journeymen. Fred Washington is an amazing man. ?????? To Both PVAMU and the USA. Thank for your service Sir… #forevergrateful

— Only1CoachPugh (@COACH_S_PUGH) August 10, 2019

Prairie View A&M President Dr. Ruth Simmons issued a statement to Fox26 News in Houston acknowledging that she knew the move was coming but not so soon.

“He does have a lot going on in his personal life. He also had originally intended to retire at about this time actually in January. This is a little earlier than what he had anticipated,” Dr. Simmons said in part.

Prairie View A&M President Dr. Ruth Simmons on @PVAMUPanthers VP/athletics Fred Washington stepping down: "I met with him late yesterday and he informed me he was going to resign and he's really retiring. I think it was a combination of factors, mostly related to family.." pic.twitter.com/rTDVGSEs6O

— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) August 9, 2019

Alicia Pete has been named the interim athletic director and a search is now underway.