Claflin University Athletics Names Terica Peay Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
Terica Peay
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Claflin University Director of Athletics Tony O'Neal announced the hiring of Terica Peay as the department's new Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations, effective Aug. 10, 2026.
Peay brings extensive experience in collegiate athletics communications and administration, with professional experience spanning the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) and NCAA Division I and Division II. A South Carolina native, Peay returns to her home state to join Claflin Athletics, bringing a proven record of strategic communication, digital engagement, student-athlete development, and department-wide leadership.
"We are excited to welcome Terica Peay to the Claflin family," said Tony O'Neal, Director of Athletics. "Her depth of experience across multiple levels of collegiate athletics makes her an excellent addition to our athletics leadership team. Terica understands the evolving role of athletics communications and the importance of telling the stories of our student-athletes, coaches and programs. We look forward to the impact she will have on Claflin Athletics."
Peay joins Claflin following a successful tenure at Albany State University, where she served as Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Communication. In that role, she was responsible for advancing the department's communications and digital strategy while contributing to broader institutional and athletics initiatives.
At Albany State, she developed a student-athlete reward program sponsored by Eggs Up Grill, which increased recognition and fostered a local partnership. She boosted social media engagement by over 20%, focusing on digital outreach. Peay also served as an athletics liaison for the Intercollegiate Athletics Council, was a representative on the Hall of Fame Committee, and held the position of Athletics Chairman, expanding her leadership roles. She received the 2025 NACDA Senior Administrators Mentoring Institute Grant, the 2026 NCAA Division II Sports Communicators Grant, and an NCAA Inclusion College Sports Communicators Grant. Additionally, she represented the SIAC region as the South Region Baseball representative for 2026 and the South Region Men's Basketball representative for 2024-25.
Before Albany State, Peay served at South Carolina State University, where she was appointed Assistant Athletic Director of Media and Gameday Coordinator after previously working as the institution's Assistant Director of Media Relations. Her work at South Carolina State provided opportunities to broaden her responsibilities in athletics communications, game operations and event management while strengthening her leadership within the sports communications profession.
During her time at South Carolina State, Peay became involved with College Sports Communicators, serving as a member of the CSC Scholarship Committee. She was selected for the Class of 2024 CSC Diversity & Inclusion Fellowship and was a 2024 Big South Inspiring Senior Mentors Fellowship participant.
Peay began building her foundation in collegiate athletics through experience as a student intern during undergrad before continuing her career at the NCAA Division I, NCCAA D-I, and Division II levels. Her progression through athletics communications and administration has given her a comprehensive perspective on the changing landscape of collegiate athletics and the increasingly important role strategic storytelling plays in elevating student-athletes and institutions.
"I am truly honored and excited to join Claflin University and become a part of its rich tradition of excellence," Peay said. "I look forward to working alongside our coaches, student-athletes and athletics staff to tell the Claflin story, elevate the visibility of our programs and create meaningful connections with our community and supporters. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and excited about what we can accomplish together."
Peay earned a bachelor's degree in Physical Education/Sports Management from Johnson C. Smith University in 2010 and an MBA in Marketing from Keller Graduate School of Management in 2012. She is currently pursuing a second master's degree in Sports Management from Georgia Southern University.
Her appointment comes as Claflin Athletics continues to strengthen its communications infrastructure and expand the visibility of its student-athletes and teams.
