![\"Florida](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1024x768_WARNER8.jpg\")
Florida A&M University alumna Nyeja Skye Warner captures a celebratory moment, reflecting\n the pride and joy of her journey at FAMU. (Photo Courtesy: Nyeja Skye Warner)<\/p>\n
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.\u202f\u2014\u202fFlorida A&M University\u202falumna\u202fNyeja\u202fSkye Warner is carving out a path in the sports
\n industry, building a career that supports student-athletes while creating opportunities
\n for women interested in sports management and football operations.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Warner\u2019s journey into athletics leadership began during her time at FAMU. She initially
\n started in a major that did not feel like the right fit. After conversations with\u202fBettye
\n A. Grable, Ph.D., an associate professor in the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication
\n at\u202fFAMU, Warner realized her strengths in storytelling and connecting with people
\n could guide her toward a career in communications and sports.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter failing chemistry, I started exploring other majors and what would work best
\n for me,\u201d Warner said. \u201cOnce I found public relations, I spoke with my professor, Dr.
\n Grable, and she made me fall in love with journalism and the public relations industry.\u202fSo,\u202fI
\n stuck with it.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her first close look at athletics operations came while she served as a cheerleader
\n at FAMU. Supporting the football team from the sidelines gave Warner a behind-the-scenes
\n view of the preparation and coordination that takes place long before kickoff.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Florida A&M University alumna Nyeja Skye Warner captures a celebratory moment, reflecting
\n the pride and joy of her journey at FAMU. (Photo Courtesy: Nyeja Skye Warner)<\/p>\n
The experience sparked her curiosity about the inner workings of athletics programs
\n and introduced her to the people responsible for making them successful.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Through cheerleading, Warner developed\u202fstrong communication\u202fand networking skills
\n while interacting with athletes,\u202fcoaches,\u202fand staff members.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I was going to be a publicist for the Migos,\u201d Warner said of the influential
\n hip-hop trio from Lawrenceville, Georgia. \u201cAs a public relations scholar, I initially
\n envisioned a career in the entertainment industry, but that shifted after I secured
\n an internship with the National Football League Players Association.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Florida](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1024x768_WARNER2.jpg\")
Florida A&M University alumna Nyeja Skye Warner celebrates a championship win during
\n her time as a FAMU cheerleader, an experience that helped shape her path into athletics
\n leadership. (Photo Courtesy: Nyeja Skye Warner)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
During the internship, Warner worked closely with players and gained insight into
\n their lives beyond the game. The experience helped her see athletes from\u202fa different
\n perspective\u202fand inspired her to explore ways she could support them throughout their
\n careers.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once Warner realized sports was the industry she wanted to pursue, she sought\u202fadditional\u202fexperience
\n in FAMU\u2019s athletics communications department under the guidance of\u202fVaughn Wilson,
\n former assistant athletic director for sports information.\u202f\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Florida](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1024x768_WARNER6.jpg\")
Florida A&M University alumna Nyeja Skye Warner poses with Vaughn Wilson at the National
\n Football League Players Association. (Photo Courtesy: Nyeja Skye Warner)<\/p>\n
Wilson said Warner quickly distinguished herself through her leadership and initiative.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe told me that as soon as she finished cheer season, she wanted to intern full
\n time,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cShe was good on camera, but it was clear that she was a leader,
\n and I made her part of my management team where she oversaw the other interns.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Wilson added that Warner\u2019s competitive spirit helped prepare her for the demands of
\n sports operations.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be successful in sports management, you must be competitive,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cShe
\n showed that early on as a cheerleader.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
During her time with the athletics communications team, Warner gained hands-on experience
\n producing events and supporting media coverage for athletic programs. Wilson said
\n her ability to think strategically and manage multiple responsibilities set her apart.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
After graduating from FAMU, Warner continued building her experience while earning
\n her Master of Business Administration from\u202fClark Atlanta University. While completing
\n her graduate studies, she\u202fremained\u202ffocused on expanding her role in football operations.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Working in a field traditionally dominated by men\u202frequired\u202fconfidence and resilience,
\n Warner said.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to\u202fhave thick skin,\u201d Warner said. \u201cYou\u2019ve\u202fgot to play\u202fthe\u202fnext\u202fplay.\u202fIt\u2019s\u202fnot
\n personal. People\u202fdon\u2019t\u202fwant someone who is going to cry,\u202fcomplain,\u202for whine. You\u202fhave
\n to\u202fstay focused on doing the job.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
At Clark Atlanta, Warner continued studying the game while supporting football operations
\n and program development.\u202fHer work helped the team during one of its strongest seasons
\n in recent history.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Florida](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1024x768_WARNER4.jpg\")
Florida A&M University alumna Nyeja Skye Warner engages in a football drill, reflecting
\n her transition into a career in athletics and sports operations. (Photo Courtesy:
\n Nyeja Skye Warner)<\/p>\n
Tara Turner, Ph.D., who previously served as Warner\u2019s supervisor during her executive
\n internship with HBCU ELITE and later became her mentor,\u202fsaid Warner\u2019s commitment to learning the game helped strengthen the program.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOver time, she became a true student of the game, and that commitment has strengthened
\n her confidence, sharpened her skill set and elevated the way she leads and operates,\u201d
\n Turner said.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Turner added that Warner\u2019s leadership style is rooted in collaboration and service.\u202f<\/p>\n
\u201cShe leads by example, not by ego, and that kind of presence is contagious,\u201d Turner
\n said. \u201cHer ability to serve, communicate and step into gaps builds trust across staff
\n and athletes, which strengthens the overall culture and helps programs operate at
\n a higher level.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Warner also made history as the first woman to serve as director of football operations
\n at Clark Atlanta University, marking an important milestone in her career.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Turner said Warner\u2019s journey reflects determination and perseverance.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHer path shows resilience, as growth in this industry often involves obstacles and
\n moments that require perseverance,\u201d Turner said.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Warner acknowledges that her career path has included challenges, but she believes
\n staying committed to her passion has been key to her success.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Nyeja](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1024x768_WARNER7.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Nyeja Skye Warner smiles following her graduation ceremony, a moment that set the
\n foundation for her career in athletics and communications. (Photo Courtesy: Nyeja
\n Skye Warner)<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve made a lot of mistakes, but you have to stay true to what you\u2019re passionate
\n about,\u201d Warner said.\u202f\u201cYou can\u2019t let your mistakes or the people trying to stop you
\n from doing that deter you from your purpose.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Today, Warner continues to build on her experience in her role at\u202fGeorgia State University,
\n where she works in player personnel and recruiting operations.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
In this role, she helps coordinate recruiting events and ensures prospective student-athletes
\n have the resources they need as they transition into collegiate athletics.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite the fast-paced nature of sports operations, Warner said the culture of athletics
\n is one of the things she enjoys most about her career.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOne thing I love about sports is that it doesn\u2019t feel like a traditional job,\u201d Warner
\n said. \u201cIt\u2019s\u202fnot stuffy or overly corporate. It feels like a family environment, but
\n that level of respect is what keeps everything professional.\u201d\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
As she continues to grow in the sports industry, Warner\u202fremains\u202fcommitted to creating
\n opportunities for athletes while encouraging the next generation of women leaders
\n to pursue their place in the field.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n
Media Contact:<\/p>\n
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist\u00a0
ashley1.flete@famu.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n