CJ Fayton was recently named associate athletics director in Maryville College’s athletics department. He began his duties at the College on July 1.
As associate athletics director, Fayton will assist Kandis Schram, the College’s director of athletics, in carrying out all assigned and auxiliary duties pertaining to the administration of the Maryville College athletics and intramurals departments. In his position, which is part of the NCAA’s Division III Strategic Alliance Matching Grant, Fayton will coordinate all aspects of the athletics department’s compliance efforts for its 14 varsity sports and more than 350 student-athletes within Maryville College, the USA South Athletic Conference and NCAA guidelines. He will assist with contract administration, policies and procedures, USA South conference scheduling and the championship bidding process.
Fayton, a native of Virginia Beach, Va., is familiar with the student-athlete experience; as an undergraduate student at the University of Tennessee, he excelled both academically and in football and basketball. Switching from quarterback to wide receiver in 2001, he lettered four years at UT, playing in 49 games and starting 13 times. He finished with 74 receptions for 981 yards and seven touchdowns during his Volunteer career. Fayton had brief stints with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets in 2006 before an injury curtailed his playing career.
A two-time Academic All-SEC selection, Fayton earned three degrees from UT. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in sport management in 2005 and a master of science in recreation administration in 2008. In 2014, he earned a law degree from UT’s College of Law.
Fayton comes to the College with experience in coaching, recruiting and athletics compliance. Most recently, he was a defensive backs coach and substitute fitness instructor at the Ensworth School in Nashville. Previously, he completed internships at a law office in Norfolk, Va., and at Vanderbilt University, where he served as an athletics compliance intern. He was also a wide receiver coach at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va., and a recruiting assistant for UT’s football program.
“CJ’s passion and energy for the student-athlete was evident throughout the interview process,” Schram said. “As a former student-athlete himself, we look forward to having him mentor our student-athletes throughout the compliance process while building relationships with our alumni, donors, and community. His leadership will help Maryville College provide an excellent student-athlete experience for all our participants.”
Fayton, who has experience as a development assistant at UT, will also work closely with the College’s advancement office, focusing on fundraising initiatives set by the College’s strategic plan. In this capacity, he will serve as a development officer specifically focused on increasing revenue for the athletics department through planned giving, annual giving, capital gifts, grants and corporate sponsorships.
“We are delighted to have CJ coming on board,” said Suzy Booker, vice president of institutional advancement. “His background, both professionally and academically, is impressive. Not only is he committed to connecting alumni and friends to the College, he is interested in mentoring our student-athletes. We think he is a strong fit for our programs.”
Fayton is married to Dr. Leslie Treherne-Fayton, a former track and field All-American at the University of Tennessee. The couple has a son, Mason.