TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Former FAMU journalism professor and athletics director Roosevelt Wilson has passed away at 78.
FAMU officials say Wilson passed away on Sunday.
Officials say Wilson was known among the FAMU community as a “fair and principled” man, teacher, mentor, businessman, administrator and writer, whose command of the English language and principles of journalism was admired nationally.
“I extend condolences to Professor Wilson’s family, loved ones and many friends,” said FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D. “He devoted himself to telling the stories of great Rattlers, and he will be included among those great Rattlers.”
Wilson, a native of Bunnell, came to FAMU in 1969 as the director of sports information, moved to director of university publications in 1979, before returning to athletics in the summer of 1980 as director of athletics under then-president Walter L. Smith, Jr., Ph.D.
In 1985, he moved to the journalism school, where he became known later to students as "Prof. Wilson." In the fall of 1999, FAMU honored him for his years of service to the university’s athletics program by enshrining him into its Sports Hall of Fame.
Before his career at FAMU, he served as a high school English teacher, service station owner and sports writer in Ocala.
Funeral services for “Prof.” Wilson will be held on Monday, October 29, at 11 a.m., at the Old West Florida Enrichment Center, located at 2344 Lake Bradford Road in Tallahassee.
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