Derek Carter was appointed Coppin State University's Director of Athletics in August 2016. Prior to Coppin he served as the Director of Athletics at Montgomery College from 2013-15. He previously held the positon on an interim bases for eleven months.
Under Carter’s leadership, Montgomery College Athletics experienced unprecedented success both academically and athletically. In the 2015-16 academic year, sixty one percent of the student athletes achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Athletically, Men’s Soccer won Region and District Championships and competed in the NJCAA National Championships for the fourth consecutive year. Baseball won Region 20 and District D championships and competed in the NJCAA National Championships for third consecutive year. Both Men’s and Women’s Track and Field competed in the NJCAA Track and Field National Championships, and Men’s Basketball won the MDJUCO Basketball Championship for the first time in twenty two years. Carter continued his belief in community engagement by requiring each athletic team to become involved in at least one community project each semester.
Prior to his term at Montgomery College, Carter served as Director of Athletics at Delaware State University, Bowie State University, and Virginia State University. After assuming his first position as Director of Athletics at Virginia State University in 2001, Carter’s leadership has continued to produce numerous conference championships and academic achievement awards including ninety-eight Student Athletes listed on the 2009-2010 MEAC Commissioner’s All-Academic Team. Additionally, Carter was awarded the CIAA’s prestigious Jeanette A. Lee Athletic Administration Award in 2009.
Carter, a veteran in intercollegiate athletic leadership brings over twenty five years of experience in athletic administration. He has excelled in maintaining effective compliance standards, developing fund raising strategies, and athletic facility improvements. Carter has been active in numerous NJCAA, NCAA, MEAC, and CIAA committees. Highlighting his NCAA national committee involvement was his appointment to serve on the 2011 and 2012 NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee and NCAA Division I Football Issues Committee.
Carter earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing Education from Virginia Tech in 1985, and his Master of Science Degree in Sport Management from The University of Tennessee in 1991. He is also a 1997 graduate of “The Executive Program” from the Sports Management Institute.
Born and raised in Washington, DC, Carter was a football and basketball standout at DeMatha Catholic High School, Hyattsville, Maryland. He went on to become a four year football letter winner at Virginia Tech and was named to the Virginia Tech 1980’s All Decade Football Team as a defensive back.
Carter and his wife, Karen are the proud parents of two sons – Bryce (15) and Cole (11)
