Anthony J. Azama was announced as the John M. Schael Director of Athletics on March 28, 2017. Anthony came to Washington University after spending the past two years as the Senior Associate Athletics Director for External Operations at Columbia University in New York City. He was responsible for the strategic direction, oversight, coordination, leadership, and active participation in the revenue generation and external functions while at Columbia. As the Schael Director of Athletics, Anthony oversees the Washington University Athletics program including both NCAA Division III varsity teams, sport clubs and the new Sumers Recreation Center.
A 1998 cum laude graduate of Vanderbilt University, Azama was a three-year letter winner on the Commodore football team and received his bachelor’s degree in human and organizational development. In 2015, he received his master’s degree in business administration from Miami.
He was also selected to the 1998 All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) Scholar-Athlete Academic Team, the SEC Good Works team, and was on the Vanderbilt Dean’s List three times from 1995-97. Following graduation, Azama was inducted into the Mid-Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Inc., a scholar-athlete award for his academic achievement, school and community leadership and football performance.
He spent nine years working at Miami University (Ohio) prior to his two-year stint at Columbia, serving as the Director of Marketing and Sales from 2006-11 before being promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing, Sales & Licensing.
Azama also has experience working with Florida Citrus Sports (FCSports), a sports marketing and management organization responsible for staging more than 100 events including the Capital One Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl and the Gridiron Classic College All-Star Game. Azama joined Florida Citrus Sports in June 1998 as the Associate Director of the Gridiron Classic College All-Star Game.