Georgia Southwestern

Christie L. Ward is the Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) at Georgia Southwestern State University. Ward serves as second in command within the Hurricane Athletic Department and assists the Director of Athletics with the overall management of a comprehensive NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics program including development, implementation and review of all policies and procedures; direct sport supervision over women’s tennis and cross country; oversight of sport scholarship budgets; game day operations/management; and engagement in fundraising campaigns. Ward is also responsible for the institutional compliance of all NCAA and Peach Belt Conference rules and regulations as it pertains to coaches, staff, student-athletes, institutional faculty/staff and athletics alumni/boosters. Ward further assists in student-athlete development by providing oversight of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), secondary academic advising responsibilities and implementation of the Life Skills program.

Ward joined the Hurricane family in 2009 as the Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance and SWA primarily overseeing the coordination and implementation of the compliance program including monitor eligibility, recruiting, financial aid, etc. In 2015, as Ward’s duties expanded, she was promoted to the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance/SWA. In 2018, Ward’s compliance designation was dropped to accurately reflect the additional responsibilities that she covers with all internal and external operations of the Georgia Southwestern State University Athletic program.

Prior to accepting her position at Georgia Southwestern State University, Ward practiced law in Americus for two years with the firm Gatewood, Skipper, and Rambo, P.C.

Ward is a native of Americus. She received her Associate of Arts degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where she played centerfield for the national ranked Fillies from 1999-2001. Ward is also a proud alumni of Georgia Southwestern State University receiving her B.S. in Political Science in 2003. During her time at Georgia Southwestern, Ward was a member of the Lady Canes Softball program from 2001-2003. Ward later graduated from John Marshall Law School in Atlanta with her Juris Doctor in 2007.