Indiana State University has a rich tradition of athletic training alumni and faculty that have had a major impact on the profession. Dr. Richard “Biff” Williams is atop that list as the first ISU AT alum to become a university president. Dr. Williams recently became the 18th president of Dixie State University in St. George, Utah. Dr. Williams attributes much of his success to ISU and the legacy of the athletic training program. “I’ve gotten every single job because of ISU, the education program opened a lot of doors for me because it’s so well known.”
Dr. Williams began his education at Weber State University, under the guidance of Joel Bass. Bass, also an ISU alum, helped Williams to apply to the post-professional program where Williams earned his MS in athletic training from ISU. He then went on to earn his PhD in curriculum and instruction from New Mexico State. Williams began his career in administration and academia as a program director at the University of Northern Iowa, where he was able to design his own undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs, along with a human performance center. Dr. Williams said he got involved with higher education administration because “you get to advocate for those that really don’t know how to advocate for themselves.”
When asked about the impact of his athletic training background on the success he’s had as an administrator, Dr. Williams credited many of the skills he learned in the clinical setting. Skills such as communication, problem solving, thinking outside the box, and developing a strong work ethic have played an integral role in his success as an administrator. He said, “you know how to deal with conflict, handle stress, multi-task, and communicate with people on several different levels.”
While Dr. Williams enjoys his role as an administrator he said he misses the interactions with athletes and students. One of his favorite things was teaching introductory classes where students knew nothing, and then teaching senior classes to see how they progressed in knowledge “from a ‘nothing’ to a close to competent professional that is almost ready to go out in the field and use their clinical proficiencies that you taught them.”
Congratulations to Dr. Williams, we wish you the best of luck at Dixie State! Go Trees!!
Jessica Edler MS, LAT, ATC
Dr. Williams began his education at Weber State University, under the guidance of Joel Bass. Bass, also an ISU alum, helped Williams to apply to the post-professional program where Williams earned his MS in athletic training from ISU. He then went on to earn his PhD in curriculum and instruction from New Mexico State. Williams began his career in administration and academia as a program director at the University of Northern Iowa, where he was able to design his own undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs, along with a human performance center. Dr. Williams said he got involved with higher education administration because “you get to advocate for those that really don’t know how to advocate for themselves.”
When asked about the impact of his athletic training background on the success he’s had as an administrator, Dr. Williams credited many of the skills he learned in the clinical setting. Skills such as communication, problem solving, thinking outside the box, and developing a strong work ethic have played an integral role in his success as an administrator. He said, “you know how to deal with conflict, handle stress, multi-task, and communicate with people on several different levels.”
While Dr. Williams enjoys his role as an administrator he said he misses the interactions with athletes and students. One of his favorite things was teaching introductory classes where students knew nothing, and then teaching senior classes to see how they progressed in knowledge “from a ‘nothing’ to a close to competent professional that is almost ready to go out in the field and use their clinical proficiencies that you taught them.”
Congratulations to Dr. Williams, we wish you the best of luck at Dixie State! Go Trees!!
Jessica Edler MS, LAT, ATC
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