Long-time Oakwood University Athletic Director Passes Away
1 January 2021 | On Thursday, Oakwood University (OU) announced the passing of Athletic Director Professor James Roddy, who had worked for the Adventist institution for over half a century.
Oakwood University President Leslie Pollard expressed his appreciation for Roddy’s legacy via an announcement on Facebook:
“We regret to announce the passing of long-loved Oakwood Professor James Roddy. Our hearts go out to the Roddy Family for the passing of Professor James Roddy. Mr. Roddy was a true Oakwood University Ambassador and served the mission of OU and its students for over fifty years. He will be missed, but never forgotten as a member of the Oakwood Family. We will see you again in the earth made new, Mr. Roddy!”
The Spring 2017 edition of Oakwood Magazine said Roddy’s name was “synonymous with sports and physical education at Oakwood” and that the school’s Ashby Gymnasium has been called “the Roddy Dome.”
Roddy started to work at Oakwood in 1965 as its first physical education instructor, coach and athletic director.
He grew the physical education program to include multiple intercollegiate athletic programs, men’s basketball national championships, and a comprehensive health and exercise science academic department.
Image credit: OU