Athletics

As an integral part of the Flagship, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics provides experiences that enhance the comprehensive development of students.  With a commitment to excellence, the department embraces the overall mission of the NCAA with an emphasis on the Division II strategic positioning platform which “provides growth opportunities through academic achievement, learning in high level athletic competition, and development of positive societal attitudes in service to community.”  In addition, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to providing a game environment which respects fairness, courtesy, and ethical conduct towards others.  The department will uphold the fair and equitable treatment of all persons, and will conduct its programs consistent with Title IX, University guidelines, and NCAA rules and regulations. 

Every year the University of the District of Columbia honors the athletic prowess and commitment of its student-athletes during its annual Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner. It was established to pay tribute to student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who have significantly contributed to the University’s athletic success.

Established during the celebration of the University’s 160th Anniversary in 2011, the Athletics Hall of Fame honors outstanding individuals, and celebrates the University’s rich history of intercollegiate athletic competition, which began in the early 1900s when students attending Miner Teachers College competed in basketball and tennis.

As a former student-athlete, George Ty Simpson has come full circle, now serving as a sponsor. Simpson graduated from the University of the District of Columbia in 1993, after running track for the University for four years. He has fond memories of being encouraged to do his personal best during his time at UDC, while benefiting from an athletic scholarship. 

“As a freshman, my coach told me that if I would run as well or better than I did in high school, he would see what he could do for me,” Simpson said. “I did it, and he kept his word by providing me with a scholarship for my remaining three years.”    

A political science major, Simpson participated in an internship at the Carter Center in Atlanta, where he connected with politicians on a regular basis. He decided to return to DC to pursue real estate investments. Simpson has 25 years of combined experience in facility management, property maintenance, and real estate development. He parlayed his political and real estate knowledge into Spectrum Management, working with both public and private organizations in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.

Simpson is president of Spectrum, providing services that include construction management, facilities management, and real estate development, services with 130 employees. 

He acknowledges the strength of his athletic and academic foundation at UDC.

“Being a student-athlete teaches you to work well with people,” Simpson said. “You are taught that you can’t quit, you are taught grit. For me, it’s definitely about grit, and committing to something, and not letting your team down. You can’t quit.”

For the last two years, Simpson has been a major sponsor of the Hall of Fame Dinner. 

“The Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner is inspiring,” Simpson said. “As a student-athlete, I admired my fellow colleagues who reached their highest level of athletic performance. Our athletic program not only made me a better athlete, but it made me a better student, and taught me to work hard at tasks to achieve an accomplished result.”