RICHMOND, VA - The 2024-25 athletic season was truly memorable for Fayetteville State University (FSU). At the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) annual Spring General Assembly meeting and end-of-year awards reception in Richmond, VA, Fayetteville State University was honored with six awards. The conference office announced its highest administrative and team awards during the reception on Wednesday afternoon.
Athletics Director of the Year: Anthony Todd Bennett
Under the leadership of Anthony Todd Bennett, FSU excelled in the CIAA, securing numerous conference championship victories. These included titles in women's cross country, indoor track & field, women's basketball, and bowling. Additionally, FSU's teams in men's golf and cross country, women's outdoor track & field, and volleyball achieved runner-up positions in their respective CIAA tournaments. The men's basketball program also made school history with a first-round win in the Atlantic Region NCAA Playoffs.
Academically, FSU's bowling team boasted a GPA of 3.623, while the softball team achieved an impressive GPA of 3.655, earning them Team GPA awards.
Anthony Bennett has been the Director of Athletics at Fayetteville State University since 2015. Over the past decade, ten of the Broncos' eleven programs have captured a total of 28 titles. Bennett attributes this success to a collective effort, stating, "It's not just an AD award, but a team effort."
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year: Nia Gibson
Nia Gibson has made remarkable contributions to both the cross country and track & field teams at Fayetteville State University. As team captain for both sports, her leadership and dedication have been truly inspiring. Nia has earned individual accolades such as the FSU Academic Excellence Highest GPA Award for Women's Cross Country for the past three years and FSU's MVP for Women's Cross Country in 2025.
Nia's recent accomplishments in cross country and track & field further highlight her exceptional talent and determination. At the CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship in May 2025, she secured impressive placements, including 2nd in the 3000 meters and 4th in the 1500 meters. Her performance at the Aggie Invitational and other events throughout the year consistently demonstrated her competitive spirit and skill, earning top positions and contributing to her team's success. Specifically, she ranked 1st in the 4x800 meters at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational, CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championship, Camel City Distance, Mondo College Invitational, JDL Early Bird Invitational, and Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-off. She also ranked 2nd in the 3000 meters at the CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship, 4th in the 1500 meters at the same event, and 4th in the 800 meters at the Marlin Invitational.
CIAA John Holley Sports Information Director(SID) of the Year: Adrian Ferguson
Adrian Ferguson's leadership and forward-thinking approach have transformed Fayetteville State Athletics Communications and Media into one of the premier Athletics Departments in the CIAA. His extensive knowledge and respected leadership are sought after by peers both within and outside the CIAA conference. Adrian played a pivotal role in the purchase and installation of a new media board at Capel Arena, enhancing the visual experience for fans and athletes alike. His dedication to producing quality content for media boards, social media, and sports networks has significantly elevated the department's profile. With 30 years of experience in Sports Information, his expertise and dedication are unparalleled. His contributions have not only enhanced Fayetteville State University's Athletics Communications but have also set a standard of excellence within the CIAA and beyond.
John Holley was a veteran publications, public relations, and sports information practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in the field. A native of Baltimore, Md., Holley directed the public information, publications and sports information programs at Albany (Ga.) State College for 14 years. In addition, he held public relations posts at Morgan State University, Mansfield (Pa.) University, and Lincoln (Mo.) University. Holley also served as sports information director at Norfolk State University and Morehead (Ky.) State University. A North Carolina Central University graduate, Holley was a member of the Public Relations Society of America, Communications Media of Mid-America, and the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Eric Moore Post-Graduate Scholarship Recipient: Ashlynn Hill
Ashlynn Hill, a recent graduate of Fayetteville State University with a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Fitness Management, has been awarded this year's Eric Moore Post-Graduate Scholarship. She was one of only nine individuals selected from over 130 applicants for UNC Chapel Hill's prestigious and well-respected Sport Administration Graduate Program.
This esteemed scholarship provides $10,000 to a college graduate pursuing a post-degree in communications, marketing, or media, and entering their first year of graduate studies. Applicants must seek admission or have been accepted into a sports administration program that will help them achieve a career in intercollegiate athletics.
Eric Moore was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame in 2019. Moore, known affectionately as "The Guru," was a media pioneer and a preeminent figure in the world of CIAA Sports Information and Communications, credited with developing the league's online presence and setting the conference's standards for in-game statistics. Moore served as a resource, guide, and mentor to many sports information directors within the CIAA and across the NCAA. He was also the Executive Director of the Black College Sports Information Directors' Association, a role he had held since 2001.
Loretta Taylor Women's All-Sports Award: Fayetteville State University
This marks the fourth consecutive year that Fayetteville State University (FSU) has won this prestigious award, which is determined by a championship point system. During the 2024-25 athletic year, FSU's women's teams excelled, capturing four conference titles. They dominated in cross country, securing their seventh consecutive championship, basketball with their second consecutive win, bowling with their third consecutive victory, and indoor track and field with their fifth consecutive title. Additionally, the volleyball team finished as runner-up in the championship, and the women's outdoor track and field team narrowly missed first place, finishing second by just 0.5 points.
Loretta J. Taylor is a former Fayetteville State women's head basketball coach (1944-1977) and Bronco Hall of Famer. She was with the Broncos during an important time for gender equality in collegiate sports in America. Taylor served the institution for over 32 years, mainly as an instructor and coach. She was named the CIAA Coach of the Year in 1974-75 when the Broncos finished 18-2. Her Broncos finished as CIAA Runners-up twice.
Most Positive Game Day Environment: Fayetteville State University
Selected by members of the CIAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), this award is presented to the school that demonstrates exemplary sportsmanship by its student-athletes and coaches during both home and away contests. Additionally, the vibrant atmosphere and excitement at volleyball, basketball, and football games, enhanced by videos and light/smoke shows during Bronco team introductions, have created an electrifying environment that energizes both players and fans.
Before announcing the end-of-year awards, the CIAA honored all Coach of the Year recipients from each respective season. Fayetteville State University (FSU) had two coaches recognized: Inez Turner, who was named Coach of the Year for women's cross country and indoor track & field, and Luke D'Alessio, who received the award for men's basketball.
