The University of Mississippi Athletics
BHM Q&A: Charlie Ball Burrell
2/16/2021 | Student-Athlete Development, Social Responsibility & Engagement
In honor of Black History Month, Ole Miss Athletics will highlight several current and former Black student-athletes and administrators throughout the month of February. Honored today is Ole Miss Assistant A.D. for Academic Enrichment, Charlie Ball Burrell.
Charlie Ball Burrell • Assistant AD • Academic Enrichment
Q: Explain your current role and duties within Ole Miss Athletics:
"Currently, I have the pleasure of being the Assistant Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development overseeing the Academic Enrichment unit. In this role, I also serve as the lead learning specialist, carrying a caseload of seven student-athletes. As a learning specialist, my goal is to make sure our student-athletes are successful academically, which leads to producing University of Mississippi graduates. We focus on using the daily skills such as reading, writing, organization, analyzation and communication, which also promotes confidence in their learning environments whether that is virtual, remote or hybrid. I have oversight of five learning specialists, roughly 75 part-time employees, one graduate assistant and the day-to-day operations for Academic Enrichment. Those operations include: payroll, HR, campus SDS liaison, academic testing and screenings, tutorial and mentoring program, R.E.B.S. Summer Bridge Program, math and writing labs, Rebel Reading Program and Engineering Tutorial Program."
Q: Why did you choose a career in collegiate athletics?
"Believe or not, I landed in this field by accident almost 12 years ago as an academic intern. I applied for the intern position while pursuing a graduate degree because it was part of the program requirements at the time and had no idea it would blossom into a career. It wasn't until I began serving in the role as a learning specialist that I knew this was going to be my career path."
Q: What do you see as the most rewarding aspect of your profession?
"The most rewarding part of this profession would definitely have to be working with the student-athletes and their families. To have the opportunity to interact with potential student-athletes and their families is fulfilling. Once those student-athletes come to Ole Miss, it becomes rewarding to watch them mature, become family and graduate. To know that you have played a small role in their success makes this profession worth it."
Q: We have seen a continued push for increased representation in collegiate athletics. Why do you believe it is important that there is diversity across all levels in collegiate athletics?
"It is important that students see individuals that look like them in all aspects of their lives. Whether in classrooms, social settings, teammates, faculty and staff members and coaches. When student-athletes and their families see representation, it gives a different meaning to the sense of belonging. Representation is also important when it comes to staffing. Being inclusive means all, which forces diverse environments. We often see this importance in hiring tutors and the ability to relate to our student-athletes. I believe when folks use the term inclusive, they have to familiarize their thinking to understand that calls for diversity."
Q: Who is one person that has been instrumental to your growth?
"Outside of my parents, I would have to say Ms. Veda Sargent. She served as Associate Director of the Joe Frank Sanderson Center at Mississippi State and was my direct supervisor while in college. She always pushed and encouraged me to work hard, break barriers and never dim your light in life. Veda was intentional when she introduced recreational sports and collegiate sports as career options, it was just later in life when I actually decided to pursue this profession."
Q: What do you think is important for aspiring athletics professionals to know when working to pursue careers in this profession?
"You must have compassion, patience, love what you do and have an outlet away from your profession. It is also imperative to have mentors and colleagues that have experience in the field and offer sound advice."
Quick Facts
Favorite sport to watch?
Football
What do you prefer to do in your free time?
Driving and watch HGTV
Favorite athlete?
Walter Payton
Florence Griffith Joyner
Alvin Kamara
What are you most proud of?
The ability to change careers at age of 31 and flourish while raising my sons as a single parent. I am most proud when I hear them say they are proud of me for pursuing my career, and that they were happy to take part in the journey is heartwarming.
Charlie Ball Burrell • Assistant AD • Academic Enrichment
Q: Explain your current role and duties within Ole Miss Athletics:
"Currently, I have the pleasure of being the Assistant Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development overseeing the Academic Enrichment unit. In this role, I also serve as the lead learning specialist, carrying a caseload of seven student-athletes. As a learning specialist, my goal is to make sure our student-athletes are successful academically, which leads to producing University of Mississippi graduates. We focus on using the daily skills such as reading, writing, organization, analyzation and communication, which also promotes confidence in their learning environments whether that is virtual, remote or hybrid. I have oversight of five learning specialists, roughly 75 part-time employees, one graduate assistant and the day-to-day operations for Academic Enrichment. Those operations include: payroll, HR, campus SDS liaison, academic testing and screenings, tutorial and mentoring program, R.E.B.S. Summer Bridge Program, math and writing labs, Rebel Reading Program and Engineering Tutorial Program."
Q: Why did you choose a career in collegiate athletics?
"Believe or not, I landed in this field by accident almost 12 years ago as an academic intern. I applied for the intern position while pursuing a graduate degree because it was part of the program requirements at the time and had no idea it would blossom into a career. It wasn't until I began serving in the role as a learning specialist that I knew this was going to be my career path."
Q: What do you see as the most rewarding aspect of your profession?
"The most rewarding part of this profession would definitely have to be working with the student-athletes and their families. To have the opportunity to interact with potential student-athletes and their families is fulfilling. Once those student-athletes come to Ole Miss, it becomes rewarding to watch them mature, become family and graduate. To know that you have played a small role in their success makes this profession worth it."
Q: We have seen a continued push for increased representation in collegiate athletics. Why do you believe it is important that there is diversity across all levels in collegiate athletics?
"It is important that students see individuals that look like them in all aspects of their lives. Whether in classrooms, social settings, teammates, faculty and staff members and coaches. When student-athletes and their families see representation, it gives a different meaning to the sense of belonging. Representation is also important when it comes to staffing. Being inclusive means all, which forces diverse environments. We often see this importance in hiring tutors and the ability to relate to our student-athletes. I believe when folks use the term inclusive, they have to familiarize their thinking to understand that calls for diversity."
Q: Who is one person that has been instrumental to your growth?
"Outside of my parents, I would have to say Ms. Veda Sargent. She served as Associate Director of the Joe Frank Sanderson Center at Mississippi State and was my direct supervisor while in college. She always pushed and encouraged me to work hard, break barriers and never dim your light in life. Veda was intentional when she introduced recreational sports and collegiate sports as career options, it was just later in life when I actually decided to pursue this profession."
Q: What do you think is important for aspiring athletics professionals to know when working to pursue careers in this profession?
"You must have compassion, patience, love what you do and have an outlet away from your profession. It is also imperative to have mentors and colleagues that have experience in the field and offer sound advice."
Quick Facts
Favorite sport to watch?
Football
What do you prefer to do in your free time?
Driving and watch HGTV
Favorite athlete?
Walter Payton
Florence Griffith Joyner
Alvin Kamara
What are you most proud of?
The ability to change careers at age of 31 and flourish while raising my sons as a single parent. I am most proud when I hear them say they are proud of me for pursuing my career, and that they were happy to take part in the journey is heartwarming.
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