Philander Smith’s Roderick Smothers Jr., Named President of Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

Philander Smith College is pleased to announce the election of Roderick Smothers Jr., Athletic Director at Philander Smith College, as the President of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. As president, Smothers will supervise the organization’s affairs, constantly review existing activities, and recommend improvements to advance the conference’s mission.

“There’s work to be done and it is an awesome responsibility and opportunity to be named conference president. We have a great group of colleagues and I look forward to building a strong and productive working relationship with my peers,” Smothers said.

Smothers was named Interim Athletic Director at Philander Smith College in August 2020. PSC has garnered many successes in athletics during his tenure, including the 2020 Gulf Coast Conference Championship in Men’s Cross-Country Track. The Vidalia, Louisiana, native earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Langston University in Oklahoma and a Master’s Degree in Sports Management from the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Smothers added, “My goals are to help expand the conference and to strengthen our service to member schools.”

The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference announced that Tougaloo College’s Keith Barnes and Larry Glover from Fisk University will join Smothers on the leadership team.

Barnes, Athletic Director and Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Tougaloo College, will be the GCAC’s representative on the National Administrative Council. Glover, Athletic Director for the conference’s newest member, Fisk University, will serve as the chair of the Council of Athletic Directors.

For more information, visit gcaconf.com.