Central State University has hired Tracy Scroggins as its new athletic director, making her the first woman to hold the position in the school’s 134-year history. The announcement came Tuesday morning during a press conference at the CSU Student Center.
Scroggins, 47, brings 22 years of athletic administration experience to the Division II program. She spent the last eight seasons as associate athletic director at Florida A&M University, where she oversaw compliance, academics, and women’s sports programs.
Building on Recent Success
The Marauders finished last season with their best combined record across all sports in over a decade. The football team posted an 8-4 mark and reached the Division II playoffs for the first time since 2018. Women’s basketball won 24 games and advanced to the regional semifinals.
“Tracy’s track record of building championship-caliber programs while maintaining academic excellence makes her the right leader for this moment,” CSU President Dr. Michael Harrison said during the announcement. “She understands what it takes to compete at the highest level while developing student-athletes as people.”
Scroggins replaces interim athletic director Marcus Thompson, who took over in January after longtime AD Robert Jenkins retired following 19 seasons. Thompson will return to his role as senior associate athletic director for external affairs.
FAMU Foundation
During her tenure at Florida A&M, Scroggins helped the Rattlers navigate the transition from Division I-AA to the full Division I level. She supervised the construction of a $15 million academic support center and oversaw a compliance program that maintained a clean record with the NCAA.
The women’s basketball program won three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament titles under her oversight. Track and field captured four conference championships in that span.
“What drew me to Central State was the commitment I saw from President Harrison and the board to invest in our student-athletes’ success both on the field and in the classroom,” Scroggins said. “This is a program with tremendous potential that just needs the right resources and vision.”
Financial Challenges Ahead
Scroggins inherits a department operating on a $4.2 million budget, roughly 30 percent below the Division II national average. The Marauders sponsor 14 varsity sports but have struggled with facility upgrades and coaching retention in recent years.
Football coach David Williams left for a position at Tuskegee University last month, citing budget constraints and facility needs. The program plays its home games at a 40-year-old stadium that seats 6,200 but lacks modern amenities.
“We have to be creative and strategic about how we allocate resources,” Scroggins acknowledged. “But I’ve seen what’s possible when you have buy-in from the administration and community. That foundation exists here.”
Conference Ambitions
Central State competes in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, where it has won just three team championships since 2010. The Marauders’ strongest programs historically have been track and field and women’s basketball.
Scroggins said her first priorities include hiring a new football coach and addressing facility needs across multiple sports. She also wants to expand the athletic department’s fundraising efforts and community outreach programs.
“Success isn’t just about winning games, though that’s certainly part of it,” she said. “It’s about providing an experience that prepares our student-athletes for life after graduation while representing this university with pride.”
Scroggins officially begins her duties on April 1. She holds a master’s degree in sports administration from Georgia Southern University and played volleyball at Albany State during her collegiate career.
