ABOUT TRAVIS L. WILLIAMS

“MY FAITH, MY FAMILY, MY LEADERSHIP, MY CHARACTER, MY GENUINE CONCERN, MY CARE, AND MY LOVE FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES INSPIRES ME TO BE THE VERY BEST IN LIFE BOTH  PERSONALLY & PROFESSIONALLY…WE MUST CONTINUE TO INVEST IN YOUNG PEOPLE LIVES AT ANY EARLY AGE & GIVE THEM HOPE & THE BEST CHANCE FOR SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM, ON & OFF THE PLAYING FIELD, ON CAMPUS, & IN THE COMMUNITY”

Travis L. Williams, 48, is currently the President/CEO of “Academics & Athletics Consulting (AAC)” specializing in “Educating, Empowering, & Mentoring Tomorrow’s Collegiate Athletic Leaders Who Have Goals, Dreams, and Aspirations of Playing College Sports”.  In October 2019, he founded HBCU All-Stars LLC showcasing “The Best in Black College Basketball” from the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC, Tennessee State & Hampton Universities in “Annual HBCU All-Star Game During College Basketball Biggest Weekend and NCAA Final Four”.  The former high school, NCAA Division I & II Collegiate Head Men’s Basketball Coach has a Sports and Business Administration background and worked at a number of higher education institutions, large and small, both public and private. Throughout his coaching career, he has displayed an outstanding level of loyalty, dignity, morals, character and genuine concern for the well-being of student-athletes and helped them achieve academic and athletic excellence on and off the court, but more importantly in the classroom.  With this in mind, he founded “Coaches for Changes Movement” in June 2020 to stand against “Racism in all its forms, Social & Economic Injustice, Police Brutality, Voter Suppression”, & making sure ALL athletes, males & females are educated and informed about what’s going on in today’s turbulent society.

His first-hand experience in high school, university functions, athletics administration, as well as NCAA compliance have been exemplary. Williams has recruited at the highest level and continues to impact many student-athletes lives to this day. He has built outstanding relationships throughout his personal, professional, community service and volunteerism career with youth and charitable groups, Parks & Recreation Departments, Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, YWCA, AAU, high school, prep school, and junior college programs, NCAA officials, Division I and II collegiate coaching colleagues, parents, guardians, alumni, fans, boosters, donors, sponsors, and supporters. To this day, Williams has a great relationship with the NCAA Eligibility Center and enforcement staff and the National Federation of State High School Association (NFHS). Throughout his coaching career, he was NCAA compliant and followed the rules and regulations of academic eligibility and recruiting. Williams has worked with some amazing and talented teams, student-athletes, coaching and support staffs, faculty and staff members, and administrators.  He has experienced “six winning seasons in eight years” as the head coach on the NCAA Division I level, Tennessee State University and NCAA Division II level at Fort Valley State University, professionally in China, as well in high school at Maynard H. Jackson.  In 2007, Williams was honored as the “Male Coach of the Year” at Fort Valley State University after leading his team to the SIAC Conference Tournament Championship game. During his time at Tennessee State University, he led his team to the OVC Semi-Final Championship Game, CIT tournament berth, and “selected as a finalist for the 2013 Joe B. Hall award, presented annually to the top first-year coach in Division I college basketball”.  Williams’ 12 winning seasons in 18 years in collegiate coaching profession included two successful stints at his alma mater Georgia State University, working with and coaching alongside two of the greatest and most successful coaches in GSU history – the “Legendary” Charles “Lefty” Driesell and Ron Hunter. As a member of legendary coach Charles “Lefty” Driesell’s staff, Williams served as assistant coach at Georgia State from 1999-2003.  During his tenure with the Panthers, the program produced three conference regular season championships and one conference tournament championship. While at GSU, the Panthers defeated two Top-25 teams (No. 15 St. Josephs and No. 23 Georgia) and produced an upset over No. 6-seed Wisconsin in the 2001 NCAA Tournament marking the first 20-win season in school history, finishing 29-5.  In 2001-02, the Panthers had another 20-win season and advanced to the championship game, bowing out by a single point in the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament before receiving a bid to the NIT. During the 2018-19, he returned back to his alma mater season as an assistant coach on Ron Hunter’s staff, the most winningest coach in GSU history.  Williams helped  guide the Panthers to a 24-10 record, winning both the Sun Belt Regular Season & Conference Tournament Championship titles while advancing to a second-straight NCAA Tournament appearance & playing the University of Houston. In five total seasons as an assistant coach at Georgia State, Williams has been a part of four regular season championships, two conference tournament championships, two NCAA Tournaments, and one NIT berth. Williams has also coached at Chicago State and Mercer University respectively, as well as semi-professionally in the World Basketball Association and won the Inaugural Season Championship and professionally in China. Before returning back home to GSU, Williams was the Head Boys Basketball Coach at Maynard H. Jackson High School for two seasons and amassed a winning record of 44-12, 20-3 record at home, and made back to back GHSA State Tournament Playoffs appearance.   During the 2017-18 season, Williams won the “Region 6 Coach of the Year” honors”, and captured the “Regular Season and Tournament Championship”, along with the“GHSA State Playoff “16 Sweet” appearance”.  His team“finished 25-3 overall, 13-1 in region play”, and with a“Top 10 Ranking in the Final Class AAAAA poll”. During the 2016-17 season, he led Maynard H. Jackson High School to a second place finish in Region 6 – 5A, and GHSA State Playoff Appearance with an impressive 19-9 record, losing 5 region games by a total of 12 points, and 7 regular season games by a total of 12 points combined. Over a two-year coaching period at Maynard Jackson High School, Williams’ team only lost six region games by a combined total of 20 points.  On top of that, Williams coached two Region “Player of the Year” winners, two “First Team All-Region Players”, and one “Second Team All-Region Players”, two “All-State Team Players”, and led MJHS Boys Basketball Programs to one of the successful runs and historical moments in the school’s history (1stRegion Championship in the school history). Most importantly, he was truly committed to fundraising for his program, with volunteerism, community service projects, initiatives, basketball camps, clinics, and found the necessary time, energy, and resources to give back to the youth in Atlanta, surrounding metro areas, and his hometown of Tifton, GA.

Williams’ proudest moment and highlight of his coaching career were over 30 former players recognized for “All Conference Academics Team and Dean’s List honors”.  He coached over 20 All-Conference Players, 20 ALL-Tourney Team Players, 4 All-American Team Players, and more than 45 of his former players played professionally in the NBA, D-league, WBA semi-pro, and internationally overseas, and went on to college. Williams is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), (BCA) Black Coaches and Administrators, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.  He is a former member of the GHSA (Georgia High School Association), and GACA (Georgia Athletic Coaches Association). While in graduate school at GSU, Williams interned with the National Football League (NFL) Players Association as a research intern assisting with the Agent Certification Process.  He is also a motivational speaker, educational consultant, and serves as a mentor for many of his former student-athletes, assistant coaches, operations staff, team managers, student workers, as well as student groups and organizations.

FAMILY LIFE…

Williams is married to Nikkya Williams and the couple have two children, an eight years old daughter named Teagan Loure’ Ann Williams (3rd Grade) and a seven years old son named Travis (TJ) Williams Jr. (2nd Grade).  They celebrated thirteen years of marriage on June 9, 2020.  He and his family attends Impact Church in East Point, GA.

ACADEMIC & PLAYING DAYS IN COLLEGE… 

*As a former student-athlete from 1991-96 with the GSU Basketball Team, Williams finished:

  • In Top 25 of GSU Scoring History with more than 1,000 points
  • Top 4 in GSU Rebounding History with 634 rebounds
  • Top 10 in Free Throws made and attempted
  • Named Team Captain junior & senior seasons
  • Named to All-Academic Team for three consecutive years
  • Graduated in 1995 with a B.A. in Business Management and earned Master’s Degree in Sports Administration in 1999 

HIGH SCHOOL PLAYING DAYS…

Williams began his basketball career as an All-State player among the large schools in Georgia (AAAA) with a 23.5 scoring average and 10.5 rebound average. His Tift County Blue Devils were 19-9 his final year and advanced to the Final Four as Region I champions. That was a remarkable turnaround from the 7-17 record one year earlier when he averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds a game. He was also voted Region MVP and “Player of the Year” and selected as 1st Team All-State player.  Williams also participated in track & field and was an excellent high jumper (third in the Region) for the track team.

COMMUNITY SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM

In addition, he has participated in numerous career days and speaking engagements for elementary, middle, prep, and high schools, youth and outreach groups, sports teams, student-athletes, YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers and Sisters, and Parks and Recreation organizations. Over the years, he has committed countless hours for numerous volunteer and charitable organizations in Atlanta, Nashville, Tennessee, Macon, and Tifton, Georgia such as AAC Seminars, Freemont Foundation 5K RUN/WALK, Markasha Coleman Easter Egg Hunt, Hosea Williams “Feed the Hungry/Homeless, Coat/Clothing/Food Drives, Thanksgiving/Christmas Give-away, Lupus & Cancer Awareness, Hands on Nashville Clean-Up Projects, and Monroe Harding Children Home, Tifton Feed the Community Program, Patricia’s Blessed Closet Shoe Drive,  Masks Give-away & COVID-19 Pandemic Education Material.

 

TRAVIS L. WILLIAMS BASKETBALL CAMPS

Williams annually host “Bouncing through the Community Basketball Camps and Clinics” in his hometown of Tifton, Atlanta, & East Point, GA.  His camps & clinics are in memory of his deceased mother Patricia Ann Williams.  In addition, Williams hosts annual basketball clinics celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, as well as offers  “Academic Scholarships” to very deserving high school students.

TRAVIS L. WILLIAMS FOUNDATION IS A 501 C-3 NON-PROFIT FOUNDATION

TLW Foundation is a Non-Profit organization that serves to impact the lives of  youth academic and athletic mentorship program and support, and designed to help them prepare for the NCAA Initial Eligibility Center requirements, coursework, and athletic expectations. TLWF will specialize in the following areas listed:

  • PSAT/SAT/ACT Preparation Classes for middle and high school student-athletes
  • NCAA Eligibility Center Registration Workshops
  • Educating, Empowering, and Mentoring Workshops for elementary, middle and high school student-athletes
  • Youth Sports Camps & Clinics
  • Youth Nutritional Program

TESTIMONIALS & WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT TRAVIS WILLIAMS & ACADEMICS & ATHLETICS CONSULTING (AAC)

One of the highlights of the 2015-16 school year for student-athletes at Decatur High School was the presentation regarding “Academics and Athletics” by Coach Travis Williams.  For many of our athletes, Coach Williams was simply “spell-binding” with the step-by-step information that athletes need to get to the next level. While there are many organizations that can disseminate facts about the recruiting process, Coach Williams was engaging and extremely personable with his delivery.  Our student-athletes immediately connected with him and were attentive for the entire presentation. As an Athletic Administrator, I am constantly looking for ways to help our student-athletes to understand the recruiting process and the importance of early preparation.  The “Academics and Athletics” presentation by Coach Williams was ideal in helping in this area. Because of the points listed above, I strongly recommend the “Academics and Athletics” consulting program by Coach Travis Williams for any high school athletic program trying to educate its student-athletes.  It is certainly a winner for students as well as parents. Carter Wilson, CMAA – Former Director of Athletics (Retired) @ City Schools in Decatur, Georgia                                                                                                                           

I was blessed with the opportunity to attend an extremely powerful and informative AAC presentation at Cook County High School in Adel, GA. It was outstanding and the best high school assembly that I have attended in a long time! But the most impressive thing about AAC “Academic Seminar” was how well Coach Williams motivated our 300 student-athletes to perform better in the classroom and take “OWNERSHIP” of their academic & athletic futures! He used this opportunity to discuss the “NEW NCAA Academic and Initial Eligibility Center requirements, time management, self-discipline, making good decisions, and the importance of attending classes with enthusiasm and passion for learning! As a high school coach myself with over 30 years of experience in coaching, teaching, and helping young student-athletes and insuring they receive the necessary athletic exposure, educational, academic opportunities, and resources to attend college, I highly recommend that every high school in the country hear what Coach Williams has to say with AAC and the impact he’s making on young people lives.
 
Tommy Blackshear – Former Head Boys Basketball Coach @ Cook County High School in Adel, Georgia                                    

I highly recommend Travis Williams to your organization for Academics and Athletics Consulting (AAC). I have known Travis Williams for the past 7 years as he has provided several service projects to our community, which includes bouncing through the community with a vision, Easter Egg Hunt, and Academics and Athletics Consulting. As a member of the Tifton Community, I have had an opportunity to observe Mr. Williams participation and interaction in this community and to evaluate his knowledge of the subject matter. He is and outstanding person in all respects. He is very passionate about his work. Mr. Williams has proven that through his experience, knowledge, passion, hard work, and follow though, he can help students, parents, coaches, administrations, and community leaders gain valuable knowledge and insight on the necessary ingredients needed to be a student athlete. During Mr. Williams’ Academics and Athletics seminar, I gained some value insight that I needed to better serve my student athletes. Mr. Williams broke the information down so everyone had a clear understanding of the athletic requirements needed in order for students to qualify. Mr. Williams conducted a question/answer session about his power hour and students and parents were able to answer questions and provide feedback from the training. It was an awesome experience. I strongly recommend this power hour training to any organization that has student athletes. These student athletes and parents will be given an hour of passion, knowledge, and hope. Not only does Mr. Williams provide knowledge about the academic framework for student athletes to follow, but he also shares his personal experience, which provides hope for inspiring student athletes. Dr. Eric L. Holland – PhD – Former Assistant Principal & Head Men’s Basketball Coach @ Tift County High School in Tifton, Georgia

Coach Williams’ presentation to our student-athletes and their families was tremendous. Since his visit, I’ve heard from several players and parents who applauded Coach Williams, his message and his efforts to help young student-athletes. Coach Williams’ presentation was direct, thorough, and

very appropriate for the audience. We have greatly benefited from Coach Williams’ knowledge of the game of basketball, the recruiting process and decision making. I highly recommend Coach Williams and his staff for any organization looking to receive valuable insight! Anthony Thomas – Dean of Students & Head Boys Basketball Coach Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia 

My name is William Tully Payne and I am the head football coach at Tift Area Academy. Our school is located in Chula, GA. Tift Area athletics participates in GISA Region 3-AAA. Our school population is close to 700 students, with only 200 students located in the High School Building. Our school has a strong commitment to athletics and seeing its athletes become successful. It is such an honor to have Travis Williams speak at our football banquet. Mr. Williams is a very honorable man, and is well respected among our community. Being a Tifton native himself, Mr. Williams is a figure that our young men can relate to and admire. He did an excellent job speaking with our young men about various topics. These topics included: a commitment to academics, spiritual and personal growth, and tips for success. Tift Area Academy cannot thank Mr. Williams enough for what he has done for our school. His words of wisdom will remain in the minds of our young men for years to come and the advice he gave will guide them to become great citizens. Thank you, Mr. Williams, you are truly a hero to your hometown.
 
William Tully Payne – Former Head Football Coach @ Tift Area Academy in Chula, Georgia 
                                                                                                                                                                                                               
“As my former assistant men’s basketball coach and academic coordinator at Georgia State University, I have always been impressed with Travis Williams, especially now with AAC because it is much needed for today’s student-athletes! AAC Presentation is a must-hear message…simple and straight to the point. He puts the focus back on academics. This is valuable information for student-athletes. His concept of balancing academics and athletics with self-discipline, and self-management are mandatory for personal & athletic success”.
 
Legendary Charles “Lefty” Driesell – Former Head Men’s Basketball Coach (Retired) @ Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA 
 
Nice to see you doing something positive as always coach Travis. I can remember you being on us hard in college for our academics. We all thought you were nagging but as you get older you see such the impact you had and have on student athletes. I thank you for that because many of us probably would not be where we are today. Keep up the good work. WE ARE GSU!”
 
Thomas Terrell – Former Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete and All American Player @ Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia
 
I wanted to take a minute to shout out a great friend/mentor of mine, Coach Travis Williams and his new organization AAC (Academics & Athletics Consulting). When I moved to Atlanta, I didn’t really know anybody. During my first semester at Georgia State, I was not liking Atlanta at all. I had every intention of moving back to Wisconsin. Coach invited me to be a part of the GSU Men’s Basketball program (where I met some of my closest friends to this day like Dee Aikens and Odie Donald II), pretty much took me under his wing, helped me find my way around the city, introduced me to a lot of people, and taught me a lot professionally. Without Coach, I most likely would’ve moved back home (and never met my queen/wife/best friend Angela Lynnette Greer) and finished school there. Almost everybody I know, and every job I’ve had since moving here, is either a result of someone he has introduced me to or because of an amazing recommendation he has written for me. Here we are 15 years later and I still call Coach for advice, get a job recommendation, or just to talk. If you have a group of students, athletes, youth groups, etc. and need a speaker/facilitator, he is definitely who you need to call. You won’t find a single one of his players/students who doesn’t feel the same way I do. I completely endorse him and his organization! Blessing to you and everything you do coach!
 
Jamal Greer – Former Senior Trainer for the “Posse Foundation” & current Dean of Students at Atlanta Classical Academy
 
I just wanted to say thank you to Travis Williams for his excellent speech to the Tiftarea Academy football team! He emphasized the NCAA eligibility requirements and the importantance of making good grades. The boys were very focused on what he was saying! Thanks again.
 
Heidi Prince Massey – Proud Parent of Tift Area Academy Student-Athlete in Chula, Georgia
 
Mr. Williams, I just wanted to tell you what a pleasure it was to have you speak at our football banquet for Tift Area Academy this week. I felt like our boys really paid attention and enjoyed what you had to say, as well as the parents. It was nice to hear someone besides myself and our teachers/coaches emphasizing the importance of a good attitude and good grades to them. The information you gave about the NCAA Eligibility Center and website was very helpful and it’s nice to know an agency such as yours exists for our young athletes. Thank you again for taking the time to come and speak to our boys–I look forward to them and other athletes at our school having the opportunity to meet with you again in the future.
 
Heather Hancock – Proud Parent of Tift Area Academy Student-Athlete in Chula, Georgia 

I recently attended an extremely informative presentation about the challenges and barriers young student athletes will face in pursuing their dreams of playing sports at the collegiate level given by Coach Travis Williams at Woodward Academy, an independent high school in College Park, GA.   The presentation was simply outstanding and provided both my son, a varsity basketball player and myself, a proud and anxious parent the realities we must navigate to give my son the best chance of playing at the next level.  Coach Williams is a motivator and I commend him on his ability to hold the attention of both parents and young athletes attending his session.  His message was crystal clear that student athletes MUST perform in the classroom and can only take control of their athletic futures when they take ownership of their academic performance!  He walked us through the new NCAA Academic requirements and how these requirements are changing college recruiting across the nation.  As a parent of a graduating high school varsity athlete, I can highly recommend Coach Williams’ seminar to all parents and student athletes wishing to play at a collegiate level.   The knowledge you will gain is absolutely invaluable. Dolan Falconer – Proud Parent of Woodward Academy Student-Athlete in College Park, Georgia 

It is with great honor that I recommend Coach Travis Williams and his program entitled AAC (Academics & Athletics Consulting).  Coach Williams & I have become friends over the past year, and I have known of his positive reputation for several years. He is a Life Coach, and serves as a leader in the field of athletics at both the college and high school levels. Coach Williams understands the importance of educating student athletes, and he has a vision for empowering our future leaders both on and off the field/court.  He is the consummate professional, and his presentations demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the requirements for students as they prepare for the transition from high school to college. Having knowledge of qualifying test scores and academic requirements are a must, and Coach Williams is ready to utilize his expertise to help those of us in interscholastic athletics understand the ever changing dynamics of requirements from the NCAA/NAIA.   He recently spoke at the Tennessee State Athletic Directors Conference, and we have received positive feedback from attendees who appreciated Coach Williams and his passion for sharing this critical information. As a Life Coach, Coach Williams has a heart for assisting parents and student athletes with understanding eligibility rules, social media etiquette, time management skills, self-discipline, etc…  Most importantly, he is a husband and a father, and cares deeply for his wife and children.  This example of being a family man is critical to his leadership of AAC and the impact he makes on society as a whole. Therefore, I wholeheartedly recommend Coach Travis Williams and his Academics & Athletics Consulting Program.  He is an outstanding leader, and your students & parents will be well served by having him involved in your school or program! Mike Ellson – CMAA Past President & LTI State Coordinator Tennessee Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (TIAAA) in Nashville, Tennessee