'Perfect Timing': First FAMU woman AD, Sarah Hill-Yates reacts to the hire of Tiffani-Dawn Sykes

On Oct. 11, new Florida A&M vice president and director of athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes continued the legacy of monumental women in leadership for Rattler athletics.

Sykes became the second woman director of athletics in school history to hold the title, standing on the shoulders of Sarah Hill-Yates.

Yates, a class of 1974 FAMU alumna from Bagdad, Florida, joined the school's athletic staff as the director of woman's athletics in 1977 before being promoted to the associate director of athletics of all sports in 1982 until 1988.

32 years went by before another woman stepped into office when Sykes accepted the job to run FAMU athletics two weeks ago.

"Seeing Tiffani get to this point is a dream come true," Yates, now residing in Chicago, Illinois said. "It's a happy moment for for us that have come before her and I couldn't be more happier than if she's my own child.

"It was something unheard of back in the 70's and 80's even if you had the knowledge and experience. Ever since I left there, I've always hoped that the university recognizes a candidate with her type of credentials and there should be no question that she is qualified for the position.

"(Sykes) was the best candidate of the group that they selected her from and checks all of the boxes."

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What better time than now?

Sykes' hire was in harmony with the 50th anniversary of the implementation of Title IX in 1972 — outlawing sex-based discrimination in activities receiving federal financial assistance.

Therefore, Yates couldn't be more elated seeing women earning prominent positions a half-decade later.

"It's perfect timing," Yates exclaimed. "It's just wonderful to be able to bring these two things together and have a female in this position.

"FAMU has had three or four women as the physical education director. In terms of me being the woman's athletic director and associate athletic director, those were the closest that we got to where Tiffani actually is going to be serving.

"That makes all of us happy and I just hope that every female at Florida A&M University would give her the support and not just lip service because the student-athletes need it so bad."

Yates fought on the front lines in the prelude and early days of Title IX during her time with FAMU. After a rapport with former track and field coach Bobby Lang, she started a club relay team as a student in 1971.

She also oversaw FAMU women's intramural sports in 1972-73 under the leadership of former director of athletics, Hansel E. Tookes.

While pursuing her master’s degree, Yates made a push for track and field and softball club sports for women.

For her efforts, Yates was enshrined in the 2007 FAMU Sports Hall of Fame and authored a four-page spread with former Lady Rattlers' basketball coach Claudette Farmer on women in athletics at the institution.

"A lot of times, the purpose and reason behind Title IX gets lost because this generation doesn't really know and understand the history," Yates said. "It's not all about about equal sports, it was every career in the country."

FAMUly matter

Yates and Sykes spoke for the first time on Oct. 15 — four days after Sykes was announced as FAMU's new vice president and director of athletics.

She's confident that Sykes can move her excellence forward as she come's Ivy League's Dartmouth as the school's executive senior associate athletics director for varsity sports and senior woman administrator.

Education is key for Yates as she led a 97 percent graduation rate for FAMU athletes. She expects no less from Sykes.

"I'm sure that the No. 1 area that she's going to look to strengthen is academics with her coming from the Ivy League," Yates said. "Coach Tookes and Dr. (Lua) Bartley used to always tell us we're students first and athletes second and that's embedded in me.

"If the student-athletes don't have the opportunities and things that they need, how can we have an athletic program? Sometimes when you don't have a smooth transition in administration, you can lose sight of a few things that are most important.

"I can see where the committee felt that she was a great fit and a great candidate."

Yates is a pioneer in woman's sports for FAMU and vows to always be an open ear and supportive of Sykes.

"I will be there for her to help in any way I can while she decides what direction she wants to go to start — I mean any little thing to see her get to the next level and achieve the goals she hopes to pursue," Yates said

"I want her to succeed beyond history and anything that I've ever did because every generation should want the next to do better. That's what I remember as a freshman in 1970 — people working together and looking out for each other.

"This is her time — a woman's time. And it just happens to be the 50th year of Title IX."

Gerald Thomas III covers FAMU athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Athletics: First FAMU woman AD Yates, fully supports Sykes hire