Former international basketball pro becomes new coordinator of athletic operations

By Dorian Alerte | Published by February 26, 2021

The Kean Athletics community has continued to see change going into the Spring 2021 semester.

Paul Williams has been hired as the Coordinator of Athletic Operations, Director of Athletics Kelly Williams announced on Dec. 21. This new role includes managing setup and breakdown of all varsity games, events, camps and clinics on campus, as well as preparing equipment and uniforms for game day staff.

“Right now, I’m just helping wherever is needed,” Paul Williams said. “Normally we’d have a lot of student workers, so usually I’d be supervising them, but because of COVID they’re not allowed to be working, so right now I’m just helping out wherever is needed.”

Williams brings into this role several years of college and professional basketball playing experience. Williams previously played college basketball at St. Bonaventure University, as well as professionally overseas in England, Spain, Vietnam, and Japan.

“I graduated high school from St. Patrick’s in ’02 and was fortunate enough to get a Division I scholarship…” Williams said. “I played in Spain for three years… Up until that moment, I had really only been on the East Coast, but to be able to go halfway across the world, meet different people, hear different languages, that was really awesome.”

After his time in Spain and two years in England, Williams also played basketball for four years in Japan.

“I played in Japan for four years, and that was probably my favorite destination just because the people and the culture are really awesome,” Williams said.

He plans to bring the lessons that he learned playing professionally to his new role in the athletic department.

“I mainly just want to be a good person that they can come to, that can give advice,” Williams said, adding that he was a student athlete for four years. “…if they want to take their talents to the next level or not, I want to be that type of outlet for these students so that they can come and chop it up with me, and we can talk about basketball or it could be about life.”

Williams is bringing a level of positivity and excitement into his new role, and is willing to help in any way that he can.

“I’m just looking forward to the University growing,” Williams said. “I know that hearing President Repollet talk, and his vision for all of the programs is great to hear and I’m just happy and grateful to be a part of it. I just want to contribute any way I can.”

---