Courtesy of Florida A&M University
Florida A&M’s Vice President and Director of Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes was named Women Leaders in Sports (Women Leaders) Nike Division I FCS Executive of the Year for 2023-24.
“This award is truly a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff,” said Sykes. “I am inspired by their commitment to excellence both on and off the field. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this championship program and for the opportunity to contribute to its success.”
In Sykes’ first full season at Florida A&M, the Rattlers made history on and off the field. On the field the Rattlers won two national championships for the first time in the same season as football won the Celebration Bowl and men’s golf won the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship. The Rattlers also saw a couple more firsts as women’s cross country, football, and indoor track & field won the SWAC Championship for the first time in program history. The Rattlers also saw softball and baseball win the SWAC East Division Regular Season Championship for the first time in program history. The Rattlers also had five teams that finished second in the SWAC Tournament/Championship.
Sykes made department history off the field as the department saw six teams achieve six perfect 1,000 scores in the 2022-23 Academic Progress Rate (APR) report for the most in department history. The HBCU National Golf Champions finished in the top ten percent of the nation for their 1,000 multiyear score to earn an NCAA APR Public Recognition Award, the second time the Rattlers saw a sport in the top ten percent in department history.
Sykes also led in renaming the football field to Ken Riley Field, the football locker room to George “Godfather” Thompson Locker Room, and the softball field to Veronica Wiggins Field. The Rattlers also hosted the 2023 Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) Football State Championships for the first time since 1978. Under Sykes’ leadership, the Rattlers also launched its first-ever digital streaming platform, Rattlers+, and its first-ever athletics app.
