Shenandoah University

DeShon Foxx began his role as Assistant Vice President & Athletic Director on July 29, 2024.

"It is a tremendous honor to be named athletic director at Shenandoah University," Foxx said. "In my time here, I have been continually inspired by the incredible dedication and talent of our coaches and student-athletes. Their hard work and passion are the heart of our athletics program. I look forward to building on our successes and elevating our athletics program to even greater achievements. I want to sincerely thank President Fitzsimmons for entrusting me with this role."

As Shenandoah University's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Foxx will oversee a department with 23 intercollegiate sports, nearly 600 student-athletes, and 75 full- and part-time coaches and staff members.

Foxx is a former Division I football student-athlete at the University of Connecticut and played in the National Football League with both the Seattle Seahawks and the New York Jets. He earned a Master of Science in Sport Management from UConn while working as a program director of Husky Sport at the school. Before joining Shenandoah University in 2021, Foxx worked as an assistant professor and assistant football coach at Washington & Lee University.

In 2022, Foxx transitioned to advancement within Shenandoah University and has served as the Assistant Vice President for Advancement. He led major gift efforts that resulted in record-breaking fundraising, and his focus on athletics fundraising helped establish stronger donor stewardship and engagement.

Foxx is also the founder of the Shenandoah Athletics 1875 Club, which plays a vital role in the holistic development of student-athletes. The 1875 Club supports growth in four key pillars—academics, athletics, social, and professional—ensuring that student-athletes receive the resources and opportunities needed to excel both during and beyond their collegiate careers.

Foxx also served as an adjunct professor of sports law in the School of Business. He will receive his Ph.D. in Sociology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 2025, with a research focus on higher education and organizational leadership.

In December of 2024, Foxx announced the addition of men’s volleyball as the department’s 23rd varsity sport. 

With Foxx at the helm, Shenandoah University is set to embark on an exciting new chapter for its athletics program within the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. His commitment to servant leadership and his vision will drive the Hornets to greater heights, building on a strong foundation to foster increased success for student-athletes in both athletics and academics.