Virginia State University Athletic Director Peggy Davis has sadly passed away. She died at the age of 62 leaving family and friends in shock. She was confirmed dead through a Facebook post that reads “Mrs. Peggy Davis was more than just an athletic director, she was a leader, mentor, and friend to so many.” The actual cause of her death has not been made known at this time.
Peggy Davis was a native of Bastrop, Texas, where she was born and raised. Brownwood, Texas’s Howard Payne University was the institution from which she graduated with her undergraduate degree. Her Master of Arts degree was awarded to her by Tarleton State University, which is located in Stephenville, Texas. Peggy Davis, who is about to enter her twenty-first year as the Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics leading the Athletics Department at Virginia State University, is continuing to build upon a rich tradition of care and concern leadership.
As a result of her influence in competitive excellence, the Trojans have been able to make over twenty appearances in the NCAA Division II tournament, as well as twenty-six CIAA Championships Titles, twenty CIAA Divisional Titles, and forty-four Coach of the Year honours. The Trojans have been honoured with the C.H. Williams All-Sports Award for men eleven times and the Loretta Taylor All-Sports Award for women six times throughout her stint as head coach.
During Davis’ tenure as head coach, the Trojans have not only achieved remarkable achievements on the playing field, but they have also set new academic records that have never been surpassed. Since the beginning of the initiative, the Trojans have achieved the highest graduation rate and academic success rate in the history of the institutions they have attended.
Under the Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) acknowledged and honoured the VSU Athletics department. In the year 2020, the NCAA presented the Athletic Department with the NCAA Division II Award of Excellence, recognizing them as the recipient of this prestigious award. During his stay at Virginia State University and Howard Payne University, Davis was inducted into the Hall of Fame on two separate occasions.
Davis received the MOAA Distinguished Service Award in 2021, in addition to the honours she received for her Hall of Fame accomplishments. The purpose of this award is to recognize and honour the efforts of those who have provided service to MOAA and who work to foster understanding and acceptance of diversity in all of its myriad manifestations. Seven times, she has been honoured by the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) with the title of Athletic Director of the Year.
