March 19, 2024
Episode 312
Peggy Davis shines a light on the transformative power of sports for women. From personal development, to building resilience and fostering diversity, discover how athletics empower women and girls to excel in life. Take a listen to this inspiring conversation.
Virginia State University
NCAA
https://www.ncaa.org/index.aspx
NCAA Eligibility Center
NCAA Demographics Database
https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2018/12/13/ncaa-demographics-database.aspx
Peggy Davis
In her 20th year at the helm of the Virginia State University Athletics Department, Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Peggy Davis continues to enhance a proud legacy of caring and concern leadership. Her influence in competitive excellence has guided the Trojans to over twenty NCAA Division II tournament appearances as well as twenty-six CIAA Championships Titles, twenty CIAA Divisional Titles, and forty-four Coach of the Year honors.
During her tenure, the Trojans have won the C.H. Williams All-Sports Award (men) on eleven occasions and the Loretta Taylor All-Sports Award (women) on six occasions. The awards are given to the top male and female athletic programs within the conference, based on championship finishes.
The Trojans have not only experienced significant success on the competitive surface, but have also established all-time benchmarks academically under Davis’ guidance. The Trojans posted its highest Graduation Rate and Academic Success Rate in school history since the inception of the measure. VSU Athletics was recognized by the NCAA and honored as part of the Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence. In 2020 the Athletic Department was recognized by the NCAA as the recipient of the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence.
Davis is a three-time, Hall of Fame honoree (at Virginia State University, Howard Payne University and Bastrop High School). Alongside her Hall of Fame honors, Davis was awarded the 2021 MOAA Distinguished Service Award. This award acknowledges and honors the effort of individuals who have given service to MOAA and strive to promote understanding and appreciation of diversity in its multitude of forms. She has been named Athletic Director of the Year by the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) seven times. She is also a two-time honoree of the Jeannette A. Lee Administration Achievement Award. Davis has been recognized on two separate occasions as one of the Top 25 Outstanding Women in Higher Education & Beyond, by Diverse Magazine, as well as being named the Under Armour SE Region for Division II Athletics Director of the Year. Davis served as the Interim Commissioner of the CIAA during the search for a Commissioner. She was the first female to lead the 12-member historic athletic conference.
Her career at VSU has been dedicated to encouraging hard work and producing results. She has overseen numerous athletic facility improvements on the campus, beginning in 2004 and continuing today. The largest facility improvement to date is the $84 million Multipurpose Center which opened in February 2016. In 2022 Rogers Stadium took on a different look with the addition of field turf followed by a new NCAA certified track. In 2023 four sports programs were added (Men and Women’s Lacrosse; Men and Women’s Soccer).
She has and continues to serve on numerous NCAA and CIAA Committees to include the NCAA Mental Health Advisory Board. She has served as President of the Executive Board with the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA) and committee member on the NCAA Division II Legislation Committee. She is also a current member of the Women Leaders in College Sports (WLS) as well as the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
A native of Bastrop, Texas, Davis received her undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX. She received her Master’s Degree from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX. Davis and her husband, Thomas, have two daughters.
