Cornering the Bear Market Floyd Kerr Brings New Level of Expertise to Morgan’s Athletic Department The search committee toiled intensely in its hunt for a new athletic director. Applicants from around the country were making their case for a chance to lead Morgan’s historic sports program back to prominence. Around the same time, Floyd Kerr was leaving Southern University in Baton Rouge. Selected as one of Sport’s Illustrated 101 Most Important Minorities in Sports, Kerr was responsible for the resurgence of the Louisiana school’s recognition and marketability while serving as its director of athletics.
cant part of Morgan’s return to national recognition in intercollegiate athletics. "We have made significant progress in many areas of the university and our athletic programs are no exception. With the wealth of knowledge and experience that Mr. Kerr brings to Morgan, we are convinced that he can help make the difference for our program and our student athletes."
Sometimes hard work and luck join together to form a tandem conducive to success, and the tandem of Kerr and the Morgan State athletic program seems ripe for greatness in the seasons to come.
At Southern University, Kerr is credited with increasing the graduation rate of athletes from an anemic 27% to over 63% from 2000 to 2004. He implemented Southern’s first homegrown television fundraiser called the Jag-a-thon, raising over $738,000 in three years. In fact, Southern University’s sports program increased its revenues each year during his tenure.
Morgan president Dr. Earl s. Richardson, views Kerr’s appointment as a signifi-
"Given Mr. Kerr's level of experience and professional background, there was no
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By Rasheim Freeman disagreement among members of the search committee,” says Tanya V. Rush, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs and chair of the search committee. “We felt that he was the right choice. Morgan’s sports program needs a leader, imagination and someone with a track record of success. We believe we have found our man." After a stellar collegiate career at Colorado State, which included leading the Rams to the Elite Eight in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, Kerr was drafted by three professional sports teams: the Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Phoenix Suns (NBA) and Utah Stars (ABA). The Phoenix Suns also drafted Kerr’s twin brother, Lloyd, but they both chose to play for the Harlem Magicians, a semi-pro basketball team that was an offshoot of the Harlem Globetrotters. Marques Haynes, an NBA Hall of Famer,