DETROIT -- Erika Wallace has had the interim tag removed and has been hired as the Director of Athletics at Wayne State University.

Wallace was named interim athletics director in November following the retirement of Rob Fournier.  She is just the 12th Director of Athletics at WSU, as the school recently concluded its 106th year of athletic competition.

"I am extremely excited to take on the permanent role as Athletic Director for the Wayne State Warriors," commented Wallace.  "A huge thank you to President M. Roy Wilson for his continued support and belief not only in our student-athletes, but in me as the leader of this department.  These past six months as interim AD has only solidified the fact that this is where my family and I want to be.  Wayne State is a very special place located in a thriving community that is experiencing growth each day.  Our student athletes continue to amaze me with their accomplishments in the classroom, in the community and in their sport.  I have high expectations for this department as we can continue to climb.  Let's go Warriors!"

Wallace was named the Athletic Chief of Staff for Wayne State University in July of 2019 and served in that position until being selected as Interim Director of Athletics on November 28, 2022.

While serving as the Chief of Staff, Wallace was on the senior athletic management team advising the Athletic Director on all departmental matters.  She worked closely with the AD to plan, develop, coordinate and oversee the University's 18 athletic programs and support personnel.  She added the title of Senior Woman Administrator as well as assuming additional responsibilities as the sport coordinator for the men's and women's basketball programs in 2021.

Wallace came to Detroit after nearly 11 years at Grand Valley State, where she most recently served as the Associate Athletic Director & Senior Woman Administrator since 2016.  Her professional career began at GVSU where she spent time working in admissions and financial aid before serving as the Assistant Director of Financial Aid in 2011.  Wallace was promoted to the Associate Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships in 2012, a position she held until 2016 when she moved to her role within the GVSU athletics department.

During her time in the GVSU Athletic Department, Wallace had a wide range of duties, including supervision of coaches in regards to budget, recruiting, traveling and scheduling.  In addition, she was responsible for NCAA compliance, fundraising and represented GVSU on the GLIAC Management Council, NCAA committees, the Intercollegiate Athletic Advisory board and the Irwin Club Advisory Committee.

She joined the NCAA Softball Regional Advisory (Ranking) Committee (RAC) in the spring of 2021 to start a three-year term, and was named Midwest RAC Chair for women's basketball in the summer of 2022.

Wallace, who has two degrees from GVSU, a Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Physiology in 2007 and a Master's of Public Administration in 2014, is a member of the National Association for Athletic Compliance (NAAC), Women Leaders in College Sports, Michigan Student Financial Aid Association (MSFAA), National Scholarship Providers Association (NSPA) and the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA).

She was a four-year letterwinner (2003-07) for the GVSU women's basketball program and was inducted into Lakers Hall of Fame in 2015.  Wallace was a team captain when GVSU won a national title in 2005-06.  She scored 1,409 points, which placed her in the top-five in program history when she graduated.  Wallace's 223 three-pointers rank second all-time and her 39.3 three-point field goal percentage is the third-best mark in school history.

Wallace and her husband Marcus, also a former GVSU basketball letterwinner, have two children, Sydney and Marley.