Tony Waldrop

About

American academic administrator, researcher and former athlete who was a middle runner at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2014, he became the 3rd president of the University of South Alabama. He competed in Penn relays and of Track and Field News multiple times. In 1975, he won the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Mexico City for the 1500 meters, before he retired from running. 

Before Fame

He was born in Columbus, North Carolina. He was the state champion in the half-mile while attending high school. He went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he served on the track team and achieved numerous academic accomplishments. He graduated in 1974 with a BA in Political Science, and later a Masters in Education. He continued to complete a PhD and postdoctoral training. 

Trivia

While in college, he was a six-time winner at the Atlantic Coast Conferenceand six-time All American. In the 80s, he worked as a researcher and then a professor of molecular and integrative physiology. From there, he became a vice chancellor and later the vice president and president of different universities. He died at his home in Chapel Hill in December of 2022, following a long illness. 

Family Life

He married Julie Briscoe, the daughter of a professor of physics from the University of North Carolina. They have two sons, Cabe and Dallas. 

Associated With

He was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame which also includes legends like Dale Earnhardt and Jim Valvano.