Update 5:50 p.m.:Florida A&M University is dealing with the second blow to its beleaguered athletics department, this one personal. The death of the university’s recently appointed interim athletics director has left his friends and family shocked and saddened.
It was just last month that FAMU President Elmira Mangum announced Nelson Townsend would lead the university’s athletics department, after the abrupt resignation of Kellen Winslow. In introducing Townsend, Mangum highlighted his accomplishments.
“He knows management, he knows athletics, he knows the rules and regulations of the MEAC—our conference—and the NCAA. And I have the upmost confidence in Mr. Townsend that he will lead our department at this crucial time, to a better place," she said.
Townsend immediately set about trying to straighten out what had been an increasingly tense situation in athletics. FAMU athletics staff, students and supporters bristled under the aggressive style of Winslow and as Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Pastor R.B. Holmes points out—one thing Townsend knew well, was people.
“We’ve lost a great member. He was a minister, he sings in the male chorus. He and his wife lead our couples ministry. We’ve lost a great man, a great family man, and FAMU has lost a great athletics director, and the world of sports has lost one of the greatest athletics directors that ever wore the title.”
Holmes was Townsend's pastor and the two men have been friends for more than a decade. Townsend met Wednesday with a university athletics booster club, reassuring them that his department was not broken—but could be healed. He had come back to FAMU to oversee the hiring of a new head football coach—which he accomplished in his short time on the job. Townsend had served as FAMU’s athletics director twice before, but speaking during his December press conference, he said this time was special.
“I cherish this opportunity because this time it’s an opportunity to serve in this capacity at a time when the university seems to really need to move in the direction Dr. Mangum has laid forth," Townsend said at the time.
His experience in athletics spanned decades. A member of both the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hall of Fames, Townsend was in the midst of his third stint as FAMU's Athletic Director. He served at FAMU from 1986-1987, and again from 2005 until 2007. He was previously as athletic director at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore and at the University of Buffalo.
Townsend collapsed in his office just prior to an early morning meeting. Holmes says he'd just seen and spoken with the athletics director Wednesday evening, during a prayer service.
"He had such a powerful smile and a glow in his face. I said, ‘Dr. Townsend, you look like you’re 20 years younger.’ He just—there was a glow, there way a light. I guess the Lord was telling us he was getting ready to call him home.”
Holmes says Townsend had been experiencing health problems prior to his death.
"He's in the hall of fame, and now he's in the hall of faith," Holmes said.
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Florida A&M University's interim athletics director has died.
Early Thursday morning, Nelson Townsend, 73, was taken to a local hospital. Shortly before noon, Townsend passed away.
FAMU President Elmira Mangum tapped Townsend in December to take over as the school's Interim Athletic Director following the abrupt resignation of Kellen Winslow. Townsend was no stranger to FAMU—he served twice previously as the university's athletic director.
At the time of his appointment, Townsend was leading the search for a new football coach.
In a statement announcing Townsend's death Mangum said, “The University lost a dear friend, excellent leader, and administrator.” She applauded Nelson Townsend as a fine man of God and compassionate human being.
“We will miss Nelson Townsend. We join his wife and family in mourning this great loss,” Mangum said.
