Anthony J. Azama: Making History at WashU and in the UAA

From his time as a football student-athlete at Vanderbilt University to his term at Columbia University, Anthony J. Azama was primed to take on his current role as the Washington University Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the John M. Schael Director of Athletics. “Having worn the jersey and experienced being a student-athlete at a university with strong academic rigor, I can relate to the WashU student-athletes. While walking that path, I thought about what I would focus on if I ever got the chance” he remarked. “I am always reminded of how great an opportunity it is to earn a world-class degree, compete for championships, and be prepared for postgraduate opportunities.”

Breaking Barriers

Azama made history by becoming the first Black athletic director not only at WashU, but also in the University Athletic Association, but he acknowledges that he was not initially seeking a new position. “I was very happy at Columbia (where he was the Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations) and in the Ivy League. (Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education) Peter Pilling laid out the blueprint for how to support student-athletes the right way,” commented Azama, whose wife’s family had multiple people who graduated from WashU. “I started talking to numerous people like (WashU and UAA football legend) Brandon Roberts and quickly confirmed how unbelievable and committed people are here.”

Though he takes pride in being the first Black athletic director in the UAA, he admits it is not something he focused on when he took the WashU job. “I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about it because I wanted to come in and see how I could make a positive impact on the scholar-athletes and staff,” communicated Azama, who was one of five Black athletic directors in the eight-school Association in 2023-24 (half of the UAA athletic directors are Black in 2024-25 after Lauren Haynie was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Student-Affairs at Brandeis). “I saw the AD group change and with it, a shift in focus and attention, as schools and presidents made those hiring decisions without hesitation. Both the WashU vice president and FAR (Faculty Athletics Representative) at the time I was hired are now college presidents.” Dr. Lori S. White, who hired Azama at WashU, took over as president of DePauw College on July 1, 2020, while William F. Tate IV became Louisiana State University’s president in May 2021.

The Power of Diversity

“It has been inspiring to see that evolution and to experience the names and chairs change, but the north star is still the same. In the UAA, we do something more than what the four walls of a classroom can do. We want to help student-athletes learn through the trials, tribulations, and the great rewards of playing sports. When I look in the rearview mirror at becoming the first Black AD in the UAA, it makes me proud to be part of such a great conference and be surrounded by such talented people,” he stated.

“I believe the UAA having so many administrators of color shows that the Association is progressive and forward thinking. It values the diversity of thought, which means we come to a consensus with a direction, after analyzing it from a multitude of viewpoints,” continued Azama, who stresses that it is important to understand that UAA student-athletes come from a variety of backgrounds. “Seeing things from different perspectives keeps us from assuming that everyone is flush with means when that is not the case. The reality is we want to make this experience accessible for everyone who has the talent and aspires to do great things both academically and athletically. We are fortunate to have a group of administrators who are not leading from an ivory tower, but who care about what young people are experiencing while competing in their sport and simultaneously being challenged in their field of study.”

He stresses that celebrations like Black History Month and Women’s History Month, among others, further the work UAA institutions are already doing. “They create an opportunity for inclusion and a deeper level of conversation,” he pointed out. “For example, we had a senior staff retreat and we discussed pronouns. The facilitator made the environment one in which people could be vulnerable and still feel safe. People here want to engage in good dialogue and meet people where they are, not who we want them to be. It is special to see people involved in inclusion with a willingness to grow.”

Being Present

Azama believes one thing we can all teach and learn more about is how to handle failure and respond in a way that makes us better. We had the opportunity to learn from a unique global experience through the COVID-19 shutdown. “After the pandemic, I have made a point of making sure to be where my feet are and to continue learning. That is a lot easier when you see the enthusiasm of the ADs and staff members at all our institutions,” he said.

Whether it is talking with opposing coaches and players or his own athletes off the playing surface, Azama prioritizes building relationships. “Impromptu hallway conversations with student-athletes are awesome. The last couple of years, we have scheduled ‘Scholar-Athlete Lunch with the AD’ opportunities, which are very rewarding and help give me a better understanding of today’s students and athletes,” he observed. “For example, we talk about impostor syndrome, but it is important to learn what that means from their perspective. They are the first generation that grew up with a proliferation of social media apps, so we talk about the positives and the challenges. My hope is student-athletes see they have an advocate in me, someone who they can come to beyond playing their sport. The goal is for these four years to prepare them for the next forty years of success.”

For all the many aspects of being an athletic director, Azama believes one is his biggest strength. “One thing I have mastered is joy in others’ successes. Being an administrator at the Division III level is 90 percent great and 10 percent tough. We must live in that 90 percent,” he expressed. “That means taking on the challenges and seeking best practices that will pay off in the long run. At the end of the day, WashU and all UAA student-athletes want to meet the moment and achieve greatness, both athletically — and in future career aspirations. I enjoy playing a role in this chapter of their journey!”