Walton ’07 Returns to Post

“VMI changed my life. To have an opportunity to come back and help the cadets, specifically the cadet-athletes, be great people and go out into the world and do great things—that was a no-brainer for me.”

That’s what Jamaal Walton ’07, VMI’s newly appointed director of intercollegiate athletics, has to say about his decision to relocate from Washington state, where he served as the University of Washington’s senior associate athletic director for strategic initiatives, and lead VMI’s NCAA athletics program.

Once settled into his new position at VMI, which began July 1, Walton plans to help VMI athletics navigate the ever-changing NCAA landscape.

“I want to make sure we provide the best cadet-athlete experience possible,” said Walton. “It’s going to take not only the athletic department but also the community—Rockbridge County and Lexington. The challenge and the opportunity are there. … It’s going to take a team approach to figure out how we can do a few things, like how we can raise the VMI brand, because I think it’s a powerful brand.”

In early June, Walton made a weeklong trip to post to meet members of the VMI and Lexington/Rockbridge communities. His itinerary included meetings with many coaches and athletic administrators, plus the superintendent’s staff and Brig. Gen. Robert “Bob” Moreschi, Ph.D., dean of the faculty and deputy superintendent for academics.

“I want to make sure athletics is in alignment with VMI’s vision,” said Walton.

In addition, Walton attended both the June meeting of the Keydet Club Board of Governors and the Keydet Club Leadership Outing, which is held in gratitude for the many individuals who support VMI athletics. “I want [the volunteer leaders] to know how important they are to the overall mission of VMI athletics and the cadet-athlete experience,” he stated.

At the leadership outing, Walton also had a chance to reconnect with brother rats and renew some ties, as Michael Rice ’07, Worth Bugg ’07, Chase Perry ’07, and Marc Antonelli ’06 were all in attendance.

“It really warmed my heart up to see those guys,” said Walton.

As of mid-June, Walton was planning summer travel throughout Virginia and neighboring states with Andrew Deal ’12, Keydet Club chief operating officer and Alumni Agencies chief development officer, to meet with alums and other members of the VMI family and share Walton’s vision for VMI athletics. In the fall, Walton especially looks forward to meeting cadet-athletes.

Walton’s path to the Institute’s top athletics spot began over 20 years ago in a way familiar to many: Through an encounter with an alum.

It was fall 2002, and Walton, then a postgraduate at Fork Union Military Academy, heard prophetic words from his football coach, John Shuman ’80. “Jamaal, you’re a VMI guy,” Shuman told Walton.

Walton, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, didn’t grow up in a military family, but Shuman’s words carried a lot of weight—and so did the appeal of following a challenging, unconventional path.

“I’ve never been one to go with the crowd,” said Walton. “If I feel that I can do something and everybody else is doing something different, I’m OK with that.”

In fall 2003, Walton matriculated with his brother rats and joined the football team. Right away, he began to embrace the VMI experience.

“I think at the time, I was looking at the bigger picture after 4 years,” he said. “I knew there was a strong alumni base, and I knew there was a great education here. I had a chance to play football, too. VMI had everything I needed.”

By the time his 1st Class year began, Walton had been elected class president and football team captain. He also took advantage of an opportunity that would chart the path for his return to post almost two decades later: An internship in VMI Communications & Marketing.

In an extraordinarily fortuitous coincidence, his time in C&M overlapped with the launch of VMI’s “Don’t Do Ordinary” branding and marketing campaign. Seeing that campaign unfold exposed Walton to an unforeseen career path: Athletics communications and marketing.

After graduating from VMI with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and being honored with both the General George C. Marshall Citizen-Soldier Award and the Lemuel MacKennie Long Jarman Award, Walton enrolled in Florida State University’s master’s program in integrated marketing.

Since graduating from FSU in 2008, Walton has worked at various institutions, both small and large, including Savannah State University, the University of Alabama, and the College of Charleston.

Walton and his wife, Marci, have two children: Daughter, Zadie, and son, Krew.

“My goal is to help serve and inspire future VMI graduates to be citizen-soldiers who embody the VMI spirit,” said Walton. “The VMI family is special, and Marci and I cannot think of a better place to raise our family.”