Jamaal Walton has been a leader for a long time.
Ten years ago, Walton was simultaneously one of the captains of the Virginia Military Institute football team and the university’s senior class president, a distinction that made him one of the highest-ranking cadets on campus.
Now, he’s brought that leadership to the College of Charleston.
Jamaal Walton, the College’s new associate director of athletics for external operations. (Photo by Reese Moore)
Earlier this year, Walton was named the associate athletics director for external operations at College. He comes to CofC after serving as the director of marketing and promotions at the University of Alabama – a post he held since 2012. Before that, he served as assistant director of marketing and promotions at the University of Oklahoma from 2010-12.
College of Charleston Director of Athletics Matt Roberts has nothing but praise for Walton.
“I’ve known him since our days together at Oklahoma and kept an eye on him during his time at Alabama. He has grown into one of the rising stars in our profession.”
To find out more about Walton, The College Today posed five questions to him:
What are your goals as you enter this new position?
When it comes to my goals for this position, my No. 1 goal is to build a cohesive and collaborative external team that is moving in a positive direction for CofC Athletics. It starts with who is around you and I have inherited a hardworking and dependable external team. My other goals are to generate revenue, increase fan engagement, enhance the fan experiences and highlight the great stories within our athletic department.
What attracted you to the CofC job?
I was attracted to the job for many reasons. No. 1 was to work alongside our Athletics Director Matt Roberts. Matt is someone I look up to and I believe in his vision because he has the “can do” attitude to make whatever he is a part of better over time. I’m originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, so I’m happy to be back on the coast. Lastly, this is Charleston, baby. It’s the No. 1 destination city in the world.
Is there a sport that you have tried, but never been able to master?
A sport that I have tried, but have never been able to master is golf. I need help, but I’m in the right place here in Charleston. It’s not bad when you have great CofC golf coaches like Jamie Futrell and Mark McEntire close by to ask for tips.
Do you have a favorite Charleston restaurant yet?
As of right now, I don’t have a favorite restaurant, but I have been on a mission to find the best place in town. Charleston has so many.
What is your favorite memory as a student athlete?
I was a student athlete at VMI, I played cornerback on the football team and served as team captain my senior year. My favorite memory is being selected First All-Big South at cornerback.
Feature photo by Reese Moore.
