Prairie View A&M University hires Dr. Reed as Athletic Director

Following a national search, Dr. Ruth S. Simmons, president of Prairie View A&M University has named Dr. Donald Reed as the new Director of Athletics. Reed will take over the helm with official duties on July 15, 2020.  He will replace interim Associate Athletic Director Alicia Pete, who has served in the role after former AD Fred Washington resigned in August 2019 for personal reasons. Pete previously served in the capacity for about two years.

Reed is currently the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Athletic & Academic Performance at the University of Buffalo (UB). He first joined UB in 2007 as the Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services and since has led the university in a leadership role in bringing success to the program both academically and athletically. Dr. Reed’s passion lies in helping student-athletes achieve in the classroom as well as the community.

Reed's coming to Prairie View A&M University is sort of returning home for the Port Arthur native.   He brings with him a history and tradition of the school since his paternal grandmother graduated from Prairie View A&M in the 1930s. "She would speak fondly about the University and I remember her talking about it. She ended up being an elementary school teacher," Reed stated.

One reason he was so highly sought after this past year was his work with the University of Buffalo student-athletes. They recorded an average GPA of at least a 3.0 for 13 consecutive semesters; a feat that had never been accomplished before Dr. Reed’s arrival.

During his seven-year tenure with the Cyclones, Reed was an intricate part in leading the personal development, career development, and academic support for all student-athletes.  Reed will have a wide-range of responsibilities at Prairie View A&M University, including serving on the President’s Executive Leadership Team and report directly to Dr. Simmons. His duties will also include staffing, fundraising and promotions, overseeing the strategic planning, athletic facilities, fiscal affairs, and intercollegiate athletics regulatory compliance.

Dr. Reed’s background also includes being a member of the University of North Texas Men’s basketball team. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration along with a Master of Science in Kinesiology/Education and Sport Administration from UNT before receiving his Doctor of Philosophy in Education Management and Development from New Mexico State University.

In naming Dr. Reed to the position, Dr. Simmons expressed her sincere thanks to interim Athletic Director Alicia Pete for her fine and outstanding job.  “I am grateful for Alicia Pete's willingness to step into the Interim Director’s role and her dedication to PVAMU and the Athletic Program,” said Dr. Simmons.


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