North Carolina A&T has named Katreshia Louis-Verrett as its new director of athletics, confirming a move HBCU Gameday first reported more than two weeks ago.
The university announced Friday that Louis-Verrett will begin her new role on Sept. 1. She will oversee 17 intercollegiate programs, more than 300 student-athletes and nearly 50 coaches and staff members.
Louis-Verrett currently serves as deputy athletics director and senior woman administrator at UAB. However, she is no stranger to North Carolina A&T or the demands of its athletic department.
She previously worked at the HBCU from 2011 through 2017. During that period, Louis-Verrett served as associate athletics director and senior woman administrator. Her responsibilities included compliance, departmental human resources and oversight of 33 staff members, including seven head coaches.
On July 28, HBCU Gameday reported that multiple sources had identified Louis-Verrett as North Carolina A&T’s choice. At that time, the school had not confirmed the selection or announced a start date.
The official announcement completes a national search for the successor to Earl M. Hilton III. Hilton is stepping down after 15 years leading North Carolina A&T athletics.
“At North Carolina A&T, our commitment to student success is our No. 1 priority, and that certainly includes the success of our student athletes,” Chancellor James R. Martin II said. “Katreshia is equally passionate about that commitment, as well as ensuring that our athletics teams and student athletes have the resources, guidance and support to succeed in competition.”
North Carolina A&T gets an experienced leader
Louis-Verrett brings two decades of experience in Division I athletics to the position. Before her first stint at North Carolina A&T, she worked at Georgia Tech from 2006 through 2011. Her background includes NCAA compliance, Title IX, NIL strategy and sports administration.
A former University of Miami track athlete, Louis-Verrett helped the Hurricanes win consecutive Big East championships in 1998 and 1999. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology and later received a master’s degree in sport administration from Miami. She also earned a law degree from Southern University Law Center.
“I am humbled, honored and excited to serve North Carolina A&T State during this transformative period for college athletics,” Louis-Verrett said. “I look forward to supporting and expanding the reach of this university’s historic mission of academic excellence and supporting the performance of our student-athletes, coaches and staff.”
Louis-Verrett inherits an HBCU athletic department navigating a demanding period. North Carolina A&T is competing in the Coastal Athletic Association while adjusting to direct athlete payments, NIL oversight, the transfer portal and the rising costs associated with Division I athletics.
She also arrives during a milestone year. North Carolina A&T football will celebrate its 125th anniversary this fall, while the university will stage the centennial edition of the Greatest Homecoming on Earth.
The new AD will be expected to stabilize the department, strengthen resources and position the Aggies for their next period of success. This time, she returns to East Greensboro with the authority to lead the entire operation.