Staff Spotlight: Karen Williams

This is the 13th in a biweekly series spotlighting the men and women behind the scenes supporting Temple Athletics.

Karen Williams is a long-time fixture in Temple Athletics, having worked for the department since her graduation in 1987. Williams currently serves as the assistant director of athletic facilities, and has been in a similar role since 1997.

After earning her degree in mathematics from Temple in 1987, Williams spent 10 years as an assistant director of academic support. During this time she also taught mathematics at Delaware Valley High School.

Williams earned a master's degree from Temple in tourism and recreation management in 1997, and is currently working to complete her Ph. D. in the School of Education.

You have been here for 40 years, including your undergraduate time, what stands out the most about your Temple Experience?
My experience with the student-athletes. I was a tutor for the men's basketball team and then extended to football, and Olympic Sports , and eventually I was offered the opportunity to start a career with academic support. Things were changing with Academic Support. John Chaney needed someone to travel with the team but because of his personality and how he spoke, he didn't want women around. But somehow I made it on the road with them, and he saw that the student-athletes did not intimidate me so at that point I was free to travel with the team. I was amazed at the travel and meetings that they do on the road. It changed how I saw the student athlete experience. I wanted to rally around them because of all that they have to do to be successful.

You started your career in academic support. Why the switch to facilities?
I was told that the education would be changing for the person in charge of Academic Support. I received a Master Degree in Sport Management, but they wanted the person in charge to have a Doctorate Degree. John Chaney had retired and the Athletic Director offered me the opportunity to work with Lee Roberts in facilities. We worked well when he was at football and I knew we would work well in facilities. I am still here!

Did you ever think to leave Temple for another opportunity? And if so, why did you stay?
When they were in the process of changing the direction of academic support. I was confused but I knew that I liked working with student-athletes and I thought I can try a different university. I took different interviews, like meeting the students and the different areas, but Temple has something I can't let go of. After that Temple University began to be a part of my family.

What is your favorite moment about Temple Athletics, and why?
Many student-athletes come through the doors of Temple University and I always told them that they can do anything they make their minds to do. After years of playing in the NBA and students come back to get their degrees, I am most proud. We have had so many but one was Mik Kilgore, who completed his degree and found a job as a high school head coach. Unfortunately, he passed away before the dream could be fully realized.

How close are you to completing your doctorate? When that happens, do you have any plans?
To complete my doctorate I have a defend my thesis, "Why African American Basketball Student-Athletes Do Not Graduate from Temple University." It is something that John Chaney and I discussed many times; we wanted to change the culture. When they come in, we want to get them more engaged in changing how they see their future. After that I have several more years of work to do, but I want to write a book about my family.

Temple University Athletics

Staff Spotlight: Karen Williams

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