THE DELTA | Mississippi Valley State University Director of Athletics Dr. Alecia Shields-Gadson will add another prestigious honor to her distinguished career this weekend as she is set to be inducted into the Alcorn State University A-Club Hall of Fame, recognizing her outstanding contributions to collegiate athletics, championship success, and leadership.

A trailblazer in intercollegiate athletics for more than 25 years, Shields-Gadson has built an impressive legacy as a championship-winning coach, administrator, mentor, and advocate for student-athletes. Her induction celebrates a career dedicated to excellence, opportunity, and advancing the landscape of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) athletics.

Shields-Gadson made her mark at Alcorn State University as the head coach of the men's and women's track and field programs, becoming one of the few African American women to lead both programs at the NCAA Division I level during the 1990s.

During her tenure with the Braves, she guided Alcorn State to its first-ever track and field conference championship in school history while producing numerous Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champions and earning multiple SWAC Coach of the Year honors. Her championship pedigree and commitment to developing student-athletes established a foundation for success that extended well beyond the track.

Her coaching accomplishments continued at Coppin State University, where she developed NCAA Championship qualifiers, All-Americans, and nationally recognized competitors. Among her most notable achievements was coaching triple jumper Christina Epps, who went on to become a USA national champion and represent the United States at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Beyond her success as a coach, Shields-Gadson transitioned into athletic administration, holding leadership positions at Alcorn State, Coppin State, and Delaware State University. During her tenure as Director of Athletics at Delaware State, she spearheaded initiatives that expanded opportunities for women in collegiate athletics, including the establishment of the nation's first NCAA Division I women's varsity wrestling program.

Her influence also extends to the national level, having served on the NCAA Division I Council and chaired several NCAA committees focused on championship administration, diversity, and student-athlete opportunities.

In July 2025, Shields-Gadson was named Director of Athletics at Mississippi Valley State University, becoming just the second woman to hold the position in the institution's history. Since arriving in Itta Bena, she has emphasized student-athlete development, competitive excellence, institutional growth, and strengthening the future of Delta Devil Athletics.

A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Shields-Gadson is a graduate of Southern University and A&M College, where she was a standout track and field student-athlete and SWAC champion. She later earned a master's degree from Alcorn State University and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Delaware State University.

Her selection to the Alcorn State A-Club Hall of Fame represents another milestone in a career defined by breaking barriers, building championship programs, and creating opportunities for future generations of student-athletes and athletic administrators.

Mississippi Valley State University Athletics proudly congratulates Dr. Alecia Shields-Gadson on this well-deserved honor and celebrates her continued commitment to excellence in collegiate athletics.

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