Sports
Kery Davis Makes History As Howard’s First Vice President Of Athletics
Howard University established a new executive position in June, promoting Kery Davis from athletic director to the university’s first-ever vice president of athletics.
According to a Howard University press release published on The Dig, the university’s central hub for campus news, the new position reflects Howard’s commitment to advancing athletic programs, supporting student-athletes’ academic success and furthering Davis’ vision for transformative growth.
The newly created executive role became effective immediately, recognizing Davis’ years of impact both on and off the field.
“I view this promotion as a recognition of the growing importance of Howard Athletics, which is a foundational part of the university’s culture and infrastructure,” said Davis. “The goal has always been for the excellence of Howard Athletics to match the university’s academic, social and cultural excellence.”
Davis, who joined Howard in September 2015 with over 25 years of experience in entertainment, sports and television, has received multiple accolades for his work and leadership, including being named the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Athletics Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in 2024. He has also been recognized as one of Sports Illustrated’s “Most Powerful Minorities in Sports” and Black Enterprise’s “Most Powerful African Americans in Sports.”
Under Davis’ leadership, the university’s 21 sports programs, the most of any HBCU, have earned national recognition for academic success and athletic achievement. There has been a consistent increase in athlete graduation rates, improved GPA’s and both men’s and women’s teams received the 2022-2023 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) All-Sports honors, a feat not achieved since 1988.
Despite the department’s growth, Davis acknowledged that Howard still faces hurdles in competing with larger programs.
“We’re behind in some of the bells and whistles that other institutions have,” he said, citing the lack of an indoor track and certain state-of-the-art training tools as examples.
Such gaps can affect recruitment, but Davis noted that the university is making strides. From enhanced practice courts and locker rooms to expanding access to facilities, the department relies largely on self-generated funding from sponsorships and partnership deals.
As he continues to lead, Davis plans to shift the recruitment strategy by targeting more experienced transfer athletes alongside freshmen.
“With transfers now making up 30 to 35 percent of the roster, many being top performers, it is important to enhance the program’s appeal through strong academics and a rich social and cultural experience,” Davis said.
He has engineered groundbreaking sponsorship deals with brands such as AT&T, Rocket Mortgage, Nissan and Mielle Organics, as well as a golf partnership with four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry — bringing national visibility and resources to Howard’s programs.
Howard’s partnership with the Jordan Brand in 2022, also brought on by Davis, made the university one of only six institutions across the country to be outfitted by the apparel line.
“It was deeper than just leading with our championship stats to land a Jordan Brand partnership,” Davis said. “Howard is a cultural and social leader, and this accomplishment reflects the tradition and power that define our university.”
For Kenneth Blakeney, the head coach of Howard’s men’s basketball, Davis’ initiatives have been a driving force in elevating the program and expanding its reach.
“Davis is a brilliant leader who truly understands the value of basketball at Howard and in the DMV area,” Blakeney said. “With his vision and the Jordan Brand partnership, it’s in his DNA to continue elevating the program and amplify our mission on and off the court.”
In 2017, Davis led the football team to one of the biggest upsets in Bison football history, defeating the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The Bison went on to win back-to-back MEAC Championships in 2022 and 2023 and made their first appearance in the Cricket Celebration Bowl.
Howard has made strides across multiple sports. Men’s and women’s basketball, softball, swimming and diving, track and field, volleyball and golf have all earned conference titles and national attention under Davis’ tenure.
In 2023, the men’s swimming and diving team made history as the first HBCU team to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Before his time at Howard, Davis was a senior vice president at HBO Sports, where he negotiated major network deals and produced critically acclaimed documentaries, including “Hard Knocks” and “Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals.” A Bronx native and former basketball player, he earned a political science degree from Dartmouth and a law degree from Cornell University.
“I want our students to take pride in the success of all our athletic programs, supporting not only our male sports programs but the women’s as well,” Davis said. “These teams are making history, setting records, and proving that excellence lives across every corner of Howard Athletics.”
Copy edited by Daryl Thomas Jr.