THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 12, 1995 TAG: 9508120186
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
John Randolph, athletic director at William and Mary since 1985 and a coach and athlete there before that, died Friday morning at Williamsburg Community Hospital after a long battle with cancer.
A native of Arlington, Randolph, 53, was a 1964 graduate of William and Mary where he received his master's degree. He coached the track team there from 1968-76 and also served as head track coach at the U.S. Military Academy and the University of Florida. He was head coach of the U.S. team at the 1983 Pan Am Games.
Randolph returned to William and Mary in 1985 and oversaw the merger of the men's and women's athletic department in 1986. During his tenure, the school's athletic endowment grew to over $13 million while its graduation rate for athletes was better than 85 percent, placing it in the top three percent of all Division I programs.
``Under John Randolph's leadership, William and Mary athletes excelled not only on the playing field, but also in the classroom,'' President Timothy J. Sullivan said. ``John Randolph built an intercollegiate athletic program that is a model for the nation.
``John Randolph was a great man, an exceptional leader and an inspiring moral example. His loss will be felt deeply by all who knew and loved him, but the example of his life will give heart and hope to those who were privileged to have called him a friend.''
A memorial service will be held Monday at the United Methodist Church in Williamsburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the John Randolph Endowment Fund or the John Randolph Directors Fund for Excellence, c/o the William and Mary Athletic Education Foundation, P.O. Box 399, Williamsburg, Va., 23187. ILLUSTRATION: John Randolph
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB