AL CARTER

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Alfonza “Al” Carter is in his eighth year as Shaw University’s Director of Athletics. Under his guidance as athletics director, the Bears program won its first ever CIAA Men’s Basketball title, Two NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional titles and Elite Eight appearance finishing as a final four participant. The Bears also won the CIAA baseball title; tennis won the CIAA eastern division title and the CIAA Tournament; volleyball won the eastern division title and finished second in the CIAA Tournament; softball won the eastern division title and men’s cross country finished second at the CIAA Championships.

Prior to his appointment, he served as Assistant Vice-President for Student Affairs (1995-99). Carter has also served as Director of Admissions and Recruitment (1991-95) and “acting” Director of Athletics.

Prior to his administrative duties at Shaw, Carter served as head women’s basketball coach (1982-87) and head men’s basketball coach (1987-91). His most publicized success came during his men’s basketball tenure. After his teams went 5-19 and 11-16 his first two years, Carter led the Bears to a 19-9 finish during the 1988-89 season and followed with a 20-8 mark during the 1989-1990 season.

The Martinsville, Va. native is a 1973 graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where he played varsity basketball and served as an assistant coach. Carter had a stellar collegiate career and is a member of the N.C. A&T Athletic Hall of Fame. 

After graduation, Carter served as head freshman basketball coach and physical education instructor for Fairfax County Public Schools (1973-74). He went back to N.C. A&T and became assistant men’s basketball coach and instructor of health and physical education (1974-78). He was also a physical education instructor and attendance director at Smith High School in Greensboro (1977-78). Carter also served two years as Athletic Director and instructor of health and physical education at Friendship College in Rock Hill, S.C.

He was recently appointed President of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA); Carter was formerly the 1st Vice President of the CIAA. Currently the Director of Athletics at Shaw University, he has overseen numerous conference championships in both the men and women’s programs including the current four-year reign of the Women’s Basketball team; a first in CIAA conference history. His long-standing career at the University has included other positions as the Head Coach of Men’s Basketball; Head Coach of Women’s Basketball and Vice President of Student Affairs. His selection as an inductee into the NCA&T Hall of Fame remains one of the crowning achievements in his career. He received the Jeanette A. Lee Athletic Achievement Award in June 2006; an award chosen by the CIAA Commissioner for outstanding athletic administration and achievement for their athletic program annually.

Carter is married to the former Melinda N. Davis of Greensboro, NC,  and he is the proud father of two daughters, Alesha and LaTonya; he is also known affectionately as Justin, Jaylen and Jada's "Grandaddy."