San Francisco, CA -- Academy of Art University Director of Athletics Dr. Jamie Williams announced Monday that he will return to his alma mater, the University of Nebraska, where he will serve as Associate Athletic Director. Though he vacates his role at Academy of Art, Dr. Williams will remain on President Dr. Elisa Stephens' Executive Advisory Council.
"The dream over the years was an athletic program at an art university which included art, music, and acting,” Dr. Stephens said. “Various advisors highly recommended Dr. Jamie Williams and he emerged as the logical candidate. He possesses a Super Bowl ring; a star on the 49ers winning team. Possessor of a Ph.D., he agreed to start what is now our wonderful athletic program. All accomplished in six short years. Loved and admired by all 18,000 students and faculty at the Academy of Art University established in San Francisco in 1929. I as President have learned from his great example. Students have been inspired by his spirit, and faculty excited by his inspiration. He will always be a member of our family and has volunteered to be on our Board of Advisors. Our lives and spirit are better because of him. We wish him every good fortune at the University of Nebraska."
Dr. Williams, an All-American and All-Big Eight Conference football player at Nebraska, earned his undergraduate degree in Broadcast Journalism as a Cornhusker. Beloved in the Bay Area after his time winning a Super Bowl Championship with the San Francisco 49ers, Dr. Williams later made a natural fit to lead Academy of Art University particularly given his artistic background that included co-writing the script for “Any Given Sunday.” He joined the Urban Knights in 2006 and proceeded to develop an NCAA athletic program, a feat many thought to be unachievable.
"I am forever grateful to the Stephens family for providing me the blank canvas to build a NCAA Division II athletic program at their amazing Academy of Art University and I feel good about the future success of that program,” Dr. Williams said. “Leaving the heart of downtown San Francisco, the Urban Knights and the magically creative folks of this wonderful art institution is emotionally tough. I will miss my administrative team, the coaches, our unique athletes, my colleagues and Elisa Stephens. A while back, a friend asked me if I would ever consider leaving this dream startup and I safely replied that the only opportunity that could pique my interest is the University of Nebraska, my alma mater. And much like when I was 17, the voice and vision of a master wizard provided me another chance to help the Huskers. He is Tom Osborne, my former college coach and UNL's current Athletic Director."
In his six years building the Academy of Art University Athletic Department, Dr. Williams has truly given life to the mantra 'Be Artist. Be Athlete.' During the early days when no athletic teams existed, one would find the Davenport, Iowa native making history alone at a computer. Today, ART U Athletics successfully functions with a staff of over 50 employees as Dr. Williams, the program's lone Athletic Director to date, has certainly delivered on his promise to have the Academy make an immediate impact on the world of collegiate athletics.
Dr. Williams forged ahead against all odds driven by his philosophy of developing the program based on the three A's: Academics, the feeder of intellect and wisdom; Arts, the emancipator of spirit and expression; and Athletics, the builder of physicality and courage. Encouraging student-athletes to succeed in the classroom, pursue their artistic dreams, and vanquish the stereotype that artists cannot hold their own in athletic competition, Dr. Williams has continuously promoted the distinct concept of Urban Knights as “warrior-poets.”
During his tenure, Dr. Williams helped Academy of Art Athletics gain national attention in a variety of ways including features in NCAA publications and heavy involvement in the expansion of the Pacific West Conference of which ART U is a member. He also strengthened Academy of Art University's Bay Area relationships with everything from guest appearances on local media and at other schools, having Urban Knights devote their time to helping local organizations and causes, and three memorable Celebrity Golf Tournaments all of which have furthered the tradition of highlighting artist-athletes and their unique characteristics.
A charismatic leader and one of few athletic directors capable of achieving a personal connection with nearly every one of his student-athletes, Dr. Williams tirelessly crafted an approachable reputation on campus during his tenure at Academy of Art. In their first four seasons, his Urban Knights have already won a PacWest Championship, upset numerous nationally ranked opponents, and completed several winning campaigns with plenty of post-season accolades.
Beyond the athletic success, Dr. Williams has enjoyed seeing Urban Knights bolster their professional careers by going on to work for the Nike, the NFL Network, and other major companies. Dr. Williams will undoubtedly leave a legacy proving art and athletics can not only coexist, but that they can thrive together.
Now on the verge of achieving his ultimate goal, making Academy of Art University active members of the NCAA, Dr. Williams remains confident in the Urban Knights' ability to carry on the “Be Artist. Be Athlete” tradition in his absence.
“I deeply thank Dr. Tom Osborne, his staff and Chancellor Perlman for facilitating my return to Lincoln,” Dr. Williams said. “Red nostalgia of home football games fill my mind. More importantly, we built an intercollegiate athletic program here at the Academy that none thought could happen, which is based on the principles I received under Coach Osborne. ART U sits on a strong organizational foundation founded on 'systems thinking,' NCAA compliance, talented people and Division II's mantra of 'life in the balance' for our student-athletes. Go Urban Knights! My task now is to help elevate Nebraska Athletics within the Big Ten Conference and nationally. I am absolutely up for the challenge. Let's Go Big Red!!"
Academy of Art University has formed a search committee that will begin interviewing candidates for the Athletic Director position. In the interim, current Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Stephanie Strowbridge will assume Athletic Director responsibilities.
