Former FAMU Athletic Director Roosevelt Wilson dies at 78

Roosevelt Wilson, a beloved former FAMU journalism professor, and former FAMU Athletic Director passed away earlier today. He was 78.

Wilson, lead FAMU’s athletic department through a rapidly changing landscape in Black college athletics until his resignation on June 5,1985 citing the job’s stress.  After stepping down, he joined the faculty of the School of Journalism and Graphic Communications where he taught mass media methods, news writing and reporting, and editorial writing, until his retirement from the university in 2003.

As a J-School professor Wilson, quickly became a respected member of the faculty known for demanding the best from his students.  Because of his fairness and tough-love for his students, Wilson quickly earned the moniker of “Prof”. 

Wilson's publishing philosophy for his Capitol Outlook weekly newspaper, which he ran which his wife Cathy, was was instilled in his students: "The truth isn't always pretty to the eye or pleasant to the ear, but  we must have the courage to seek it."