During his time as president, Dr. Tommy King reshaped WCU athletics in ways most thought impossible. A graduate of Sumrall High School, William Carey University, and the University of Southern Mississippi, Dr. King's career in public education spanned 30 years before he returned to Carey and in 2007 was named the 9th president of the University.
In 2007, WCU had just seven sports. At the time of Dr. King's retirement in 2022, Carey's athletics had grown to 18 varsity sports, 2 Junior Varsity sports, and 1 CoEd sport, adding up to over 300 athletes. WCU won its first national championship in 50 years in 2018 and added another in 2020.
Under his leadership, WCU athletic facilities dramatically improved and became known to be among the best in small college athletics. Dr. King supported coaches and student-athletes in every way possible with outstanding operating and scholarship budgets. He served on the NAIA Council of Presidents and the chair of the SSAC Board of Directors.
Dr. King attended nearly all Carey sporting events, and, on most afternoons, you could see his golf cart cruising around from practice to practice to talk with the kids and coaches.
