Alfonza “Al” Carter enters his sixth year as Shaw University’s Director of Athletics. Recently he was named first vice-president of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).  This is the third such prestigious appointment for Carter within the last year, as he was named to the 2003-04 regional advisory committee for the NCAA Division II Men's Baseball Championship in December 2003 and to the Division II Men's and Women's Tennis Committee in October 2003.  

Prior to his appointment as Director of Athletics, 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 (1991).

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.

Shaw University has had much success under the direction of Carter.  Under his guidance as athletics director, the Bears program won its first ever CIAA men’s basketball title, won the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional title and made an Elite Eight appearance, finishing as a final four participant; the Bears won the CIAA baseball title; the women's cross country team won the CIAA Championship, while men’s cross country finished second at the CIAA Championships; and the men's tennis team won the CIAA eastern division title and finished second in the CIAA Tournament all in 2002.  The volleyball team has won the eastern division title during his five-year tenure, as has the softball team, which also won the 2003 CIAA Championship.  The women's basketball team won the CIAA Tournament in 2003 and 2004 and a berth in the NCAA South Atlantic Regional both years.  Arguably, one of the biggest events to ever take place at Shaw University was Shaw’s successful hosting of the 2004 NCAA Division II Women's South Atlantic Regional, under the guidance of Carter.  He was named CIAA Athletic Director of the Year in 2002 and the CIAA also selected the Shaw University athletics program as the Jeanette A. Lee Athletic Achievement Award winner in 2003 and 2004. The award is selected by the CIAA Commissioner for outstanding athletic administration and achievement for their athletic program each year.

 
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.