FSU hires AD for strategic communication
Special to the Outlook
FSU is bolstering its athletic department with a new hire. That’s the word that came from Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford in an announcement last week.
The new hire is Douglas Walker. He will become the department’s new executive senior associate athletics director for strategic communication.
Walker starts on Friday.
Walker is a veteran athletics administrator with more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications and brand management for some of the nation’s most visible collegiate athletics programs. He comes to FSU from Texas A&M University, where he was executive director of Educational Broadcast Services.
Walker has a proven track record of managing communications for high-profile coaches and administrators at Power 5 institutions, including Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami, TCU and Texas A&M. He has served with highly successful programs that have earned national championships in a variety of sports, including five football national titles, and multiple Heisman Trophy winners.
“We are thrilled to welcome Doug to the FSU family,” Alford said. “He brings a wealth of experience from high-caliber programs, and that will be a great asset for us as we continue to promote the FSU Athletics brand and advance our mission of across-the-board excellence.”
At Florida State, Walker will be responsible for implementing the department’s internal and external communications strategy; advising leadership on public relations and media relations; and overseeing Athletics Communications, Creative Services, Digital Media, Seminole Sports Cinema, and Seminole Productions.
“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to become a part of this great university and one of the nation’s finest athletics programs,” Walker said. “I’m looking forward to helping the department fulfill FSU’s dynamic vision as we explore opportunities worthy of the program’s rich tradition.”
Walker earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas A&M and a master’s degree in human environmental science from The University of Alabama.
