Ford-Kee named Lincoln (Pa.) Director of Athletics

 Rob Knox, Assistant Athletics Director for Sports Information

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (June 23, 2008) – Lincoln University of Pennsylvania has named Dianthia Ford-Kee as its new Director of Athletics. Ford-Kee comes to Lincoln from Shaw University where she served as the Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator and taught courses in Public Administration. 

In becoming the first female athletics director in Lincoln’s distinguished 154-year history, Ford-Kee brings a wealth of teaching, coaching and administrative experience from her time working with the CIAA and NCAA to the Lincoln athletics department. Lincoln is in the process of transitioning from Division III to Division II.

“We are very excited that Ms. Dianthia Ford-Kee will be joining the Lincoln University staff,” Lincoln University president Dr. Ivory V. Nelson said. “Our current staff has put forth considerable effort during this period of transition to Division II.  I am confident that Ms. Ford-Kee has not only the experience, but also the skills to provide the leadership necessary to ensure a successful transition to Division II as well as develop Lincoln’s programs to promote achievement by our student-athletes both in the classroom and on the athletic playing fields.”

A native of Lawrenceville (NJ), Ford-Kee was named the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA) NCAA Division II Female Athletic Administrator of the Year in 2006. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Fayetteville State University in 1982 and a master’s degree in Public Affairs from Northern Illinois University in 1984. Among some of the courses she taught during a 10-year period at Shaw included Public Personnel Administration, Organized Theory & Behavior, Introduction to Public Administration and Human Resources.

“To be selected as the first female Director of Athletics at Lincoln is an honor and it reflects on Lincoln’s rich heritage,” Ford-Kee said. “I am very excited to become a partner in Lincoln’s reclassification. After meeting the staff and other university officials, it was evident that the University is committed to becoming a member of the Division II governance structure.” 

Ford-Kee served on the NCAA Division II Management Council as the CIAA Conference representative from 1999-2005. She was also a member on several national committees including the Committee on Women’s Athletics, Division II Nominating Committee, and NCAA Woman of the Year.  She currently serves on the NCAA Division II Diversity Project Team and the NCAA Division II Strategic Alliance Matching Grant Selection Committee.

“I believe my experience on the Management Council will benefit Lincoln University as we move forward in the reclassification process,” Ford-Kee said. “Also, I have 14 years of NCAA Committee service and 18 years of experience in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) as a coach, administrator and conference committee member. I feel confident that my experiences with both organizations will assist Lincoln University as we transition from exploratory Division II membership to full Division II and CIAA membership.”

Ford-Kee is no stranger to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). The Fayetteville State University alumnae enjoyed a successful 14-year coaching career at Shaw in the sports of volleyball and softball where she won over 500 games combined.

“For more than 18 years, coach Dianthia Ford-Kee has been an exceptional steward of our athletic programming here at Shaw University,” Shaw’s Director of Athletics Alfonza Carter said. “A true professional, she has continuously worked as an advocate and champion for our student-athletes and the Shaw University Family.  I am truly excited at the appointment of her new position at Lincoln University and she will certainly do well as Director of Athletics.  The entire Shaw University Family congratulates her and we extend our heartfelt appreciation for her long standing dedication and stellar service.”

Under Ford-Kee, the Lady Bears volleyball team played for the conference championship four times, winning the championship in 1995. Ford-Kee was also named CIAA Volleyball Coach of the Year twice (1995 and 2001).  Ford-Kee compiled an overall record of 247-158.

Ford-Kee has also enjoyed a tremendous amount of success with her softball program.  Her team members have won NCAA national statistical honors as well as NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships.  In 1994, 1996 and 2003, Shaw won the CIAA Softball Championship and Ford-Kee was selected CIAA Softball Coach of the Year in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 2003.  Ford-Kee had a 309-207 overall record as softball coach.

While competing in the sports of basketball and softball as a student at Fayetteville State University she was a member of the 1979 CIAA Women’s Basketball Championship Team and the 1982 Softball Championship Team.  Ford-Kee earned several All Conference and Tournament Team honors and was selected MVP of the 1982 Softball Championship Tournament.  In 1982 she was selected Fayetteville State University’s Athlete of the Year and was the youngest inductee into Fayetteville State University’s Athletic Hall of Fame (1997).

In September, Ford-Kee will be inducted in the inaugural class of Lawrence High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame as the first athlete in the history of the high school to score over 1,000 points while playing three years of high school basketball.  She currently holds basketball records that have not been broken at Lawrence High School in Lawrenceville, NJ in its 40 years of existence.

Founded in 1854, Lincoln University is the first historically black institution of higher education and its graduates include such luminaries as Thurgood Marshall, the first African American justice of the United States Supreme Court, and acclaimed poet and author Langston Hughes.  Lincoln University is nationally regarded for producing African Americans with undergraduate degrees in the physical sciences