FAMU track and field director resigns

Courtesy of FAMU Athletics
Former FAMU track and field coach Darlene Moore, doing a walk-through before FAMU Relays Saturday.

    

FAMU Athletics confirmed Sunday morning that cross country and track and field head coach Darlene Moore has resigned from her position effective immediately.

Coach Moore tendered her resignation letter this week and told FAMU Athletics that it was effective Sunday March 17, according to FAMU associate athletic director Vaughn Wilson.

Moore sent a mass message to the track team following her resignation informing the team why she resigned.

“It is with much sadness that I tell you that I have resigned as the head track coach here at FAMU,” she told the team on Sunday. “Yesterday was my last day. Honestly, I have fought a long hard battle to get us the basics such shoes, uniform and windsuits. I feel that I have not nor have my teams received the support that I wanted to receive from my administration. So, this year has been painful and stressful to say the least. I am truly sorry.”

Moore’s leave comes fresh off of the team hosting the FAMU Relays for the first time in a year.

EdQuisha Alvin, a team captain for the women’s track team, said she was confused about Moore suddenly stepping down, but understands her frustrations with athletics.

“I’m really not sure about why she stepped down, but I know about the support and what she had to go through for our team,” Alvin said.

“Me being a captain on the team, I feel like it was the wrong timing for this. I don’t feel that it will hurt us badly, I mean we are mentally and  physically prepared . We know what we have to do with a coach or without a coach because she prepared us for things like this because we’ve lost coaches throughout the season.”  

Another team captain Onnika Scott, said Moore had been expressing her frustration with FAMU administration since last year.

“(Moore)  told us it was because the people above her were making it difficult for her,” Scott said. “She would try and get us the best uniforms that she could, but the budget was limited.

“I heard about it last year, and that was my first year at FAMU, and I’ve continued to hear it. I think coach Moore will be missed of course. There was a lot of positive things she has done for our team.”

Moore had been with the school since 2009, and was appointed director of Track and Field in 2016.

Moore has had a lot of success during her tenure with FAMU, winning seven MEAC cross country titles and also securing MEAC outdoor wins in 2015, 2016 and 2018 to win coach of the year.

The FAMUAN made an attempt to reach out to coach Moore, but she would not comment for an interview. However, she did express that she is “mentally drained.”

FAMU Athletics did not have an official statement as of Sunday evening, but plans to release one as soon as administration returns to Tallahassee Monday, according to Wilson.