Sylvester Walker Jr.
Booker T Washington
Champaign,IL
20
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Dedicated professional with expertise in program development and community outreach within educational institutions. Focused on building inclusive environments that empower student-athletes to excel on and off the field. Ready to apply sports management experience to enhance Centennial's athletic programs.
Experienced with program management, team leadership, and strategic planning. Utilizes these skills to enhance athlete performance and ensure program success. Track record of creating positive sports environments and aligning athletic goals with institutional objectives.
Work History
Administrative: Athletic Director/Assistant Principal
2 Years 1 Month- Managed daily entry, supervised lunch periods, and coordinated dismissal processes to ensure student safety and well-being
- Facilitated summer alumni sports event
- Oversaw development of athletic budget
- Athletic Coach Evaluations
- Assessed compliance with athletic eligibility standards
- Athletic Handbook
- Athletic Scheduling
- Athletic Supervision
- Coordinated efforts of booster clubs
- Building Event Calendar - weekly oversight
- Clubs/Activities tracking of membership/meetings/staff sponsorships
- Coach Hiring
- Conference/"Big" Competitions
- Coordinate Event Supervision
- Custodians (task lists & annual evaluations)
- Facilities and Operations-Building Concerns
- Planned and implemented fundraising events
- Managed hall of fame selection process
- NCAA Athletic Eligibility Requirements (w/ counseling)
- Facilitated parent and family communication through newsletters and quarterly reports to enhance engagement and transparency in athletic programs
- Referee/Umpire/Etc. Oversight & Scheduling
- Coordinated annual senior night for academic recognition
- Scheduling/Securing Buses & transportation for sporting events
- Student-Athlete Signings (college, trade, post-secondary)
- Directed athletic program operations, aligning schedules, staffing, and facility use with school priorities.
- Managed coach hiring, evaluations, and ongoing development to strengthen program standards.
- Oversaw athletic budgets, purchase requests, and equipment inventory for efficient resource use.
- Coordinated game-day logistics, including transportation, officiating, and venue preparation.
- Enforced eligibility, safety, and compliance requirements across all sports programs.
- Collaborated with administrators, parents, and community partners to resolve concerns and support athletes.
- Supervised practice and event operations, maintaining readiness across facilities and teams.
- Implemented process improvements for scheduling, communication, and athletic department workflows.
- Arranged transportation for athletes to participate in away games, tournaments and other events.
- Ordered equipment for all sports and kept meticulous records on athletic equipment inventory.
- Built trust with athletes and coaching staff by being courteous, respectful, responsible and professional at all times.
- Maintained accurate records of athlete eligibility requirements, ensuring compliance with state regulations at all times.
- Supervised student grades for eligibility requirements and collected paperwork for annual physicals.
- Oversaw coach salaries, pay rates and all other program budget aspects.
- Managed budgets effectively, ensuring appropriate allocation of resources for all teams and programs.
- Mentored coaches on best practices in leadership, communication, and sportsmanship to enhance their skills and impact on athletes.
- Coordinated staff and student activities to promote a safe and productive learning environment.
- Established positive, stimulating learning environment for students and an exciting education-focused setting for teachers.
- Observed teachers, documented activities and implemented improvement plans to optimize classrooms.
- Recruited and interviewed individuals for coaching jobs and other athletic department staff positions.
- Organized successful sporting events such as tournaments, meets, and league games that showcased athletes'' talents and achievements.
Dean of Students
7 Years 7 Months- Directed efforts in discipline management, parent communication, and handling discipline referrals and suspensions.
- Directed student discipline procedures and ensured consistent policy enforcement across campus.
- Coordinated attendance interventions and followed up on chronic absenteeism cases.
- Collaborated with counselors, teachers, and families to resolve behavior concerns.
Administrative: Associate Athletic Director/Dean of Students
6 Months- Tracked academic performance of athletes at risk
- Athletic Identity Work (having PRIDE all year, not just during their season)
- Athletic Supervision (third person)
- Addressed student discipline cases
- IEP LEA Rep for I-MN Students with IEPs
- NCAA Athletic Eligibility Requirements (w/ counseling)
- School Store (w/ Chain - Universal Tier I positive behavior support)
- SILT - Family and Community Engagement (w/ New Dean)
- Promoted school events through social media channels (website, twitter, fb w/ Jason Liggett)
- Supported athletes facing suspension by providing guidance and resources beyond official communication
Inventor and Organizer of the event.
- Engaged with CEO Javea Wright to enhance educational programs.
- Led concept development for original ideas supporting alumni game initiatives and event enhancements.
- Designed inventive solutions to improve engagement, entertainment, and overall event experience.
- Evaluated feasibility of new concepts, materials, and implementation approaches for practical use.
Administrative: Assistant Principal
6 Months- Teacher Evaluations
- Student Attendance & Discipline
- Walk-through Observations
- Building Supervisor
- Social Studies Department
- Tier II Team
- Strengthened community partnerships to enhance student support
Inventor and Organizer of the event.
- Worked alongside CEO Javea Wright and Unit 4 School to achieve shared goals.
- Conceived inventive concepts supporting alumni game experiences and event enhancements.
- Designed prototypes to validate functionality, usability, and durability.
- Tested materials and mechanisms to refine performance and reliability.
Administrative: Dean of Students
2 Years 6 Months- Led 8th grade level meetings, coordinated custodial staff, teacher assistants, hall monitors, and secretarial staff to support academic and operational goals.
- Lead 6th grade level meetings, 6th grade administrator, Supervisor for Custodial Staff, Teacher Assistants, Hall Monitors, and Secretarial Staff. Oversee sports programs at Edison Middle School
- Provided leadership in student discipline, communicated with parents, and processed discipline referrals and suspensions to maintain a positive school environment. PD Leadership during school wide and staff meetings.
- Collaborated on RTI strategies at Edison Middle School to enhance academic performance.
Head JV Boys Basketball Coach
9 Years 6 Months- Designed and implemented practice plans and drills for 9th and 10th grade students to enhance skill development.
- Determined team roster based on player performance to be a part of the Junior Varsity Boys Basketball team.
- Facilitated communication among parents, officials, and coaches to ensure alignment and support within the basketball program.
- Implemented rules and regulations to maintain team discipline and success.
- Coordinated and executed the inaugural JV tournament at Centennial High School in 2017, fostering competitive opportunities for the team.
Physical Education Teacher
12 Years 6 Months- Instructed diverse student body in Physical Education across all grade levels, fostering inclusivity and engagement.
- Make instructional and assessment accommodations for learners with special needs that include learning disabilities and ADHD.
- Collaborate with colleagues toward initiatives such as PLCs, Understanding by Design, Gradual Release of Responsibility and Standards Based Grading.
- Instructed high school students from grades 9 to 12
Basketball Camp Coach
10 Years- Led 8-10 8th grade players in skill drills and strategies for offensive and defensive sets, enhancing teamwork and individual performance.
- Led basketball skill instruction during camp sessions, reinforcing shooting, passing, and defensive fundamentals.
- Supervised campers during drills, scrimmages, and transitions to maintain safe, organized activity flow.
- Demonstrated proper techniques and game concepts to support athlete development and confidence.
Dean For the Day
11 Years 6 Months- Filled in for several AP, maintained discipline, contacted parents, and addressed discipline referrals.
- Directed student discipline processes, ensuring consistent policy enforcement and timely resolution of behavioral concerns.
- Collaborated with teachers, counselors, and families to support student accountability and academic success.
- Coordinated attendance interventions, reviewing patterns and implementing corrective actions for at-risk students.
Volunteer Assistant Coach
6 Months- Provided basketball instruction to the first-ever state champion Varsity Basketball team Centennial High School.
- Supported head coach with practice planning, drill execution, and athlete skill development.
- Supervised student-athletes during training sessions, maintaining safe and disciplined participation.
- Demonstrated sport techniques and corrected form to improve performance and consistency.
Volunteer Assistant Coach
6 Months- Delivered basketball instruction and coordinated substitutions for the Freshman Basketball Team.
- Supported head coach with practice planning, drill setup, and athlete skill development.
- Monitored player safety, reinforced sportsmanship, and maintained disciplined training environment.
- Organized equipment, uniforms, and field setup for practices and competitions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Arts and Science
M.D. - Education Policy, Organization and Leadership
Skills
Athletic program development
Compliance monitoring
Facility management
Event management
Program development
Scheduling coordination
Staff training
Leadership development
Student-athlete welfare
Verbal and written communication
Collaborative approach
Public relations
Certification
Professional Educator License, Physical Education Endorsement 2006-10, Dreaam Wraparound Facilitator 2022-03, Principal Endorsement 2023-07
RELATED ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Coleman Carrodine Alumni Game
- Basketball Camp Coach: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI Summer 2009-2019
- Volunteer Assistant Coach: Centennial High School, Champaign, IL Fall 2008-Spring 2009
- Volunteer Assistant Coach: Centennial High School, Champaign, IL Fall 2007-Spring 2008
- Dean For the Day: Centennial High School Fall 2006-Spring 2018
- Dean of Students: Booker T Washington, Champaign Spring 2019-Present
Timeline
Administrative: Athletic Director/Assistant Principal
Centennial High School
09.2024 - CurrentRead More
Administrative: Associate Athletic Director/Dean of Students
Centennial
09.2023 - 03.2024Read More
Inventor and Organizer of the event.
Coleman Carrodine Alumni Game
08.2023 - 08.2023Read More
Administrative: Assistant Principal
Centennial High School
09.2022 - 03.2023Read More
Inventor and Organizer of the event.
Coleman Carrodine Alumni Game
08.2022 - 08.2022Read More
Administrative: Dean of Students
Edison Middle School
09.2019 - 03.2022Read More
Dean of Students
Booker T Washington
03.2019 - CurrentRead More
Head JV Boys Basketball Coach
Centennial High School
09.2009 - 03.2019Read More
Basketball Camp Coach
Michigan State University
01.2009 - 01.2019Read More
Volunteer Assistant Coach
Centennial High School
09.2008 - 03.2009Read More
Volunteer Assistant Coach
Centennial High School
09.2007 - 03.2008Read More
Physical Education Teacher
Centennial High School
09.2006 - 03.2019Read More
Dean For the Day
Centennial High School
09.2006 - 03.2018Read More
South Dakota State University
Bachelor of Science from Arts and Science
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University of Illinois
M.D. from Education Policy, Organization and Leadership
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