Allen University

Deslyn Haywood currently serves as Allen University’s Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and the Senior Woman Administrator. In addition, Haywood serves as the sport administrator for men’s & women’s cross country, women’s soccer, and men’s & women’s track & field programs. She provides supervision of the department compliance, student-athletes welfare and academic success.  

After a 15-year career as a financial aid professional, Haywood was appointed by the President of Allen University on March 1, 2021 to facilitate the institution’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II. In August 2021, Haywood received a Top-Hat Award for her leadership role with the NCAA transition. This award is one of the highest employee awards given by Allen University’s President. 

Prior to her current role, Haywood spent five years as the Senior Financial Aid Counselor at Allen and previously spent 10 years working at Benedict College as a Student Financial Service Counselor, Financial Aid Counselor and Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships. During her time at Benedict, Haywood was named the Outstanding Administrator of the Year for the 2015-2016 academic year. 

Haywood was a three-sport academic scholar student-athlete at Voorhees College where she competed in basketball, volleyball and track & field. Haywood was also a prolific basketball player at St. Croix Central High School. Haywood was a 2-time V.I. Sunstroke Classic Girls All-Star that earned MVP in 2000. 

Haywood was a member of the 2001 U.S. Virgin Islands Junior National Basketball Team and won the gold medal at the Junior National Basketball Championship in the Bahamas. Haywood also played on the U.S. Virgin Islands Senior Women’s National Basketball Team from 2000-2004 when the team earned the silver medal in the 2002 Centro Basket Women’s Championship hosted by St. Thomas, V.I. 

Haywood is a 2000 graduate of St. Croix Central High School. She holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in Mathematics and Business Administration, where she graduated from Voorhees College and Benedict College, respectively. Haywood also obtained her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Strayer University and is currently working on her Doctorate of Education in Sport & Athletic Management at Northcentral University. 

Haywood holds membership for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Women Leaders in College Sports and the National Association for Athletics Compliance. Haywood has three children, stepdaughter D’Asia Gregg (plays basketball at Virginia Tech), son James Rice II and daughter Jamie Rice (deceased).