By Andrew Skerritt
Florida A&M University (FAMU) announced its Athletics Compliance team. The six team members are part of the Office of Compliance and Ethics and fulfill President Larry Robinson’s commitment to promote a culture of compliance at the University and provide additional support to student-athletes.
“I am impressed with the quality and experience of the new staff additions to our Compliance team. This will go a long way toward ensuring that our student-athletes get the service and support they need to succeed on and off the playing field,” Robinson said.
The Office of Compliance and Ethics (OCE) built out the Athletics Compliance Office over several months after President Robinson’s approval of the expanded structure of the unit in July 2022. OCE is in the process of identifying a candidate to fill the remaining vacancy in the Athletics Compliance Office.
The new team members are: Brittney Johnson, senior associate athletic director for compliance/senior woman administrator; Lori Goodart, associate athletic director for compliance- financial aid, and benefits; Kelley Bickham, coordinator, athletics compliance – certification and eligibility; Jerry Goodson, coordinator, athletics compliance – general compliance; Tia Huie, coordinator, athletics compliance – financial aid and benefits; and Alexus Davenport, graduate assistant, athletics compliance.
In making the announcement, Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer Rica Calhoun said she is thrilled to support the Athletics Compliance team.
“These professionals have a wide range of experience and capabilities to maintain an effective Athletics Compliance Office dedicated to integrity and institutional control,” Calhoun said. “With the expanded team, we look forward to a bright future focused on enhanced compliance education, monitoring, enforcement, and overall support for the Athletics Department.”
Athletic Compliance Team Members
Brittney Johnson, senior associate athletic director for Compliance and senior woman administrator (SWA)
Before joining FAMU, Johnson served as the associate athletic director for student-athlete development and academic success at South Alabama for most of 2022. She joined South Alabama Athletics after spending nearly a decade at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), where she served in many roles. The Bessemer, Ala., native was responsible for ensuring compliance for the Panthers’ 18 Division I programs per NCAA, SWAC and PVAMU standards, while also overseeing the maintenance of the institution’s NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate (GSR) reports, and the National Letter of Intent (NLI) program.
Johnson earned her bachelor’s in health sciences from the University of Alabama in 2007, then her master’s degree from Alabama A&M University in 2010. She is working on her doctorate from Walden University.
Lori Goodart, associate athletic director of compliance, financial aid and benefits
Goodart began her career in athletics as an assistant softball coach when her playing career ended at the University of West Florida (UWF). She made several coaching stops before starting her career at FAMU. She served as an assistant softball coach from fall 2007 until spring 2015. After spring 2015, she moved into the newly created position of athletic financial aid coordinator, serving in a support role to the Athletics Compliance Office.
In May 2022, Goodart was named interim associate athletic director of compliance. In January, she transitioned to the role of associate director of Compliance, Financial Aid and Benefits. Goodart earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UWF and a master’s in counseling and psychology from Troy State University.
Letkellae “Kelley” Bickham, athletics compliance coordinator, Certification and Eligibility
In her role as athletics compliance coordinator, Bickham specializes in certification and eligibility for student-athletes. She earned her bachelor’s in kinesiology from the University of Arkansas while a member of the Lady Razorback Track and Field team.
She followed up by earning her master’s in sports administration from Grambling State University. Having worked in intercollegiate athletics for more than 22 years, Bickham has over 14 years specifically in NCAA eligibility while working at Delaware State University, Texas State University, and the University of New Mexico.
Jerry Goodson, athletics compliance coordinator, general compliance
Goodson became the FAMU athletic compliance coordinator in October 2022. He came to the University after serving as an intern in the Compliance and Governance bodies with The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association conference office. Goodson also served as a graduate assistant (football) at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). Goodson earned a bachelor’s in business administration from WSSU in 2016 and was a 4-year student-athlete for the conference champion Rams. He completed a master’s in sports management from FAMU in 2019.
Tia Huie, athletics compliance coordinator, financial aid
Huie moves to the role of athletic compliance coordinator, specializing in financial aid and benefits, after serving in the University’s Office of Financial Aid since 2021. The Tallahassee native earned a bachelor’s degree in health, physical education, & fitness in spring 2022 and is pursuing a master’s in sport management with a specialization in athlete development at the University of Florida.
Alexus Davenport, graduate assistant
Davenport is in her first year of the FAMU Sports Management Master’s Program and working as the graduate assistant for the Athletic Compliance Office. She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and legal studies from the University of Central Florida and a law degree from the FAMU College of Law.
