Benton Named St. Augustine’s University Assistant Athletics Director For Compliance
Raleigh, NC – Dr. Sheila I. Benton is the Saint Augustine’s University Athletics (SAU) Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance as of Monday, Aug. 26.
Benton is a very accomplished professional who brings 28 years of experience to the SAU Athletics Department. Her career includes stints at numerous universities and organizations including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Florida State University, North Carolina A&T State University (A&T), Winston-Salem State University, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Bennett College and Fresno State University.
At Maryland Eastern Shore, Benton was the Compliance Coordinator as well as Senior Woman Administrator and Sports Information Director during her three years there. She was the Assistant Director for Compliance and the Compliance and Student Services Assistant at Florida State for four years.
“We are fortunate to add Dr. Benton to our athletics staff,” SAU Director of Athletics George Williams said. “She brings a wealth of knowledge to the compliance position that will enhance our department.”
For the past year and a half, Benton was the Assistant Professor for Sport Management and SAAC Program Coordinator at SAU, her alma mater. She arrived from A&T, where she was Adjunct Professor for the Department of Human Performance and Leisure Studies and Consultant for the Office of Student Financial Aid from 2012 to 2017.
Her tenure at A&T was the third for Benton. From 2007 to 2009, she held several positions – Independent Higher Education Consultant, Interim Director for the Aggie Pride Solution Center and Market Research, Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Interim Director for Human Resources. She was a graduate assistant for seven months in 1991.
Before her third tenure at A&T, Benton was the Director of the Institute of Academic Success and First-Year Experience at Bennett College from 2011 to 2012. Before returning to A&T a second time, she was the Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs and Director for Undergraduate Admissions at Winston-Salem State University from 2004 to 2005. Benton was the Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Fresno State from 2002 to 2003.
Prior to her time at Fresno State, Benton was the Program Coordinator for the Stay In Bounds program and Membership Services Representative at the NCAA.
Based on her work history, Benton is a perfect fit in the SAU Athletics Department.
“I appreciate Coach Williams for giving me the opportunity to join his team,” Benton said. “I look forward to providing meaningful contributions to our student-athletes and the athletics department.”
As a collegian, Benton was an All-CIAA outside hitter for then Saint Augustine’s College, where she graduated in 1987 with a Health, Physical Education and Recreation Degree. She helped the Lady Falcons win two CIAA volleyball championships.
In 1989, she was in the inaugural graduating class of the LeRoy Walker Foundation Sports Administration and Management Institute at North Carolina Central University.
Benton graduated with a Master’s Degree in Sports Administration from Grambling State University in 1991. She earned her Doctorate in Sport Management at Florida State University in 1999.
A Greensboro, N.C. native, Benton was an all-conference volleyball standout at Dudley High School, where she graduated with a diploma. She is the proud mother of a son, Trent Alexander (13).
www.st-aug.edu