Cheyney University Names Fred Reynolds Director of Athletics

CHEYNEY, PA – Cheyney University of Pennsylvania has appointed Fred Reynolds as Director of Athletics, bringing a nationally respected athletic administrator to lead Wolf Athletics during a period of renewed momentum, investment and institutional growth.

Reynolds has nearly two decades of experience in Division I college athletics. He is known for his focus on student success, academic achievement, compliance, partnerships, and the long-term growth of athletic departments. His appointment shows Cheyney’s commitment to strengthening athletics as a key part of student engagement, alumni pride, enrollment growth, and the university’s visibility.

“Fred Reynolds is a transformational leader whose career reflects the values and vision of Cheyney University,” said Cheyney University President Aaron A. Walton. “His passion for student success, commitment to building strong external partnerships and proven ability to elevate athletic departments make him the ideal person to lead our athletics program into the future.”

As Director of Athletics, Reynolds will oversee Cheyney’s athletic programs while guiding NCAA compliance, student-athlete welfare, alumni engagement, fundraising partnerships, community outreach and strategic planning. His leadership comes as Cheyney continues to invest in facilities, expand academic pathways, strengthen the student experience and position the University for its next chapter as the nation’s first HBCU.

Throughout his career, Reynolds has emphasized that successful athletic programs are measured not only by wins and championships, but by graduation rates, student development, institutional culture and the lives student-athletes build after competition.

“Success in athletics is more than just talent in sport,” said Reynolds. “It’s built on a foundation of academic engagement, personal discipline and life skills.”

Reynolds previously served in athletics leadership roles at Coppin State University and Delaware State University, where he helped strengthen academic support systems for student-athletes and expand institutional collaboration. At Coppin State, he played a significant role in securing a three-year, $900,000 NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program grant that supported academic services and student-athlete achievement. At Delaware State, he helped oversee another NCAA Accelerating Academic Success initiative focused on improving student retention, academic performance and institutional benchmarks while helping secure additional NCAA funding dedicated to student success.

Those experiences shaped Reynolds’ approach to athletics as an extension of the University’s educational mission. His work has focused on building athletic departments through collaboration, accountability, academic engagement and shared purpose.

As a former collegiate basketball student-athlete, Reynolds understands firsthand the discipline required to balance academics, competition and personal growth. That experience continues to inform his leadership philosophy, which is rooted in service, mentorship, accountability and opportunity.

President Walton has emphasized that athletics is a vital part of Cheyney’s continued growth. For generations, Wolf Athletics has been a source of pride, resilience and community. As the University continues building momentum, athletics has the opportunity to play an even greater role in strengthening student life, deepening alumni connection and elevating Cheyney’s visibility across the region and beyond.

Reynolds’ appointment also reflects the changing role of college athletic directors, who are increasingly expected to serve as educators, fundraisers, compliance leaders, strategic planners and institutional ambassadors. His experience across academic support, student development, partnerships and athletic administration aligns with Cheyney’s vision for a strong, sustainable and student-centered athletics program.

As Cheyney continues writing its next chapter, Reynolds will help lead an athletics program rooted in purpose, driven by opportunity and focused on building champions beyond the scoreboard.

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Cheyney University of Pennsylvania – Founded in 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education. Building on this legacy, the vision for Cheyney is to become the premier model for academic excellence, character development, and social responsibility among not only Historically Black Colleges and Universities, but in all of American higher education. The campus is located on 275 acres straddling Delaware and Chester Counties. Read more at www.cheyney.edu