MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama State University's interim Athletic Director, Sterling Steward Jr., announced the hirings of Dwayne Robinson and Danita Townsend to his executive administrative staff in the Athletic Department.

Robinson was named the interim Associate Athletic Director for Compliance while Townsend will serve as the Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Support.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work with Danita Townsend and Dwayne Robinson,” said Steward. “I am of the opinion that our management styles and vision for Athletics is consistent with that of Alabama State University and its leadership.”

Robinson comes to ASU from Cheyney (Pa.) University where he served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Internal Operations and the Executive Director of the Division for Retention Services.

Prior to his time at Cheyney, Robinson served as the Associate Director of Athletics for Operations and Student-Athlete Development at Florida A&M University. Robinson's administration career included stints as an athletic academic support counselor at Florida State University and the Assistant Director of Athletics for Compliance and Internal Operations at Alcorn State University.

During his time at Alcorn State, Robinson also served as the head men's and women's golf coach. In addition, Robinson worked at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences for six years serving as athletic director, teacher and head coach for basketball, baseball and golf at the school. 

Robinson earned his bachelor's degree from Tougaloo College in Jackson, Miss., and holds a master's degree in education from Alcorn State.

Townsend joins the ASU staff following a three-year stint as the Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. During her tenure at the institution, she also held the positions of interim Assistant Athletic Director of Academics and adjunct professor.

A graduate of the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in psychology, Townsend holds her Juris Doctor from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law.