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Kentucky State University officials are pleased to announce the addition of Etienne M. Thomas as the University’s new director of athletics, the first director of athletics at Kentucky State from a Power Five conference (Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Pac-12 Conference and the Southeastern Conference).

“This is a historic hire,” Kentucky State University President M. Christopher Brown II said. “Not just for Kentucky State University, but we’ve been talking to the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and they’re double-checking, as well as the SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). This will be the first time that any of the nation’s historically black colleges and universities has recruited an athletic director from one of the Power Five conferences.”

“We very pleased to welcome Etienne M. Thomas to the SIAC,” Gregory Moore, commissioner of the SIAC, said. “She not only helps the SIAC ‘move-the-needle’ with respect to gender inclusion, but she also brings significant experience as she is I believe the first director of athletics hired during my tenure to come directly from an autonomy-five institution (Kansas). We wish her the best of luck.”

Thomas has served as the associate director of athletics for student life at University of Kansas Athletics, Inc. since July 2017, where she served as primary reporter of Title IX, VOWA and Cleary allegations for Kansas allegations. Thomas also monitored, communicated with and advocated for student-athletes in the housing and University student code hearing proceedings, as well as partnered with the sexual assault prevention and education center to provide education, empowerment and prevention of sexual assault.

She’s also served in athletics and compliance administrative positions at North Carolina Central University, San Jose State University, Howard University and Saint Paul’s College.

During her tenure at North Carolina Central University, she assisted in getting the athletics department reclassified from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I FCS, as well as assisting the school’s transition from independent to a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Thomas has prior experience on the NCAA Division I Council, the NCAA HBCU Advisory Committee to CAP on APP and the NCAA legislative committee.

Thomas earned her bachelor’s in political science at North Carolina Central University, has completed all her coursework for a Juris Doctor at the University of Iowa College of Law and is a candidate in the Master of Athletic Administration program at North Carolina Central University.

Thomas is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (NACWAA), the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the National Association of Athletics Compliance (NAAC), the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletes (N4A), a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity (PAD).

“I am humbled and honored to serve as the director of athletics at Kentucky State University,” Thomas said. “President Brown is the right president for me. He has a vision. He’s intentional. He doesn’t believe in excuses.”

Thomas said her vision for Thorobred athletics includes continuing to recruit student-athletes with strong academic profiles, competing at a championship level in the conference, finding an on-campus home for the softball team and adding tennis, soccer and swimming in the next 18 months.