Pro Basketball Star Takes Over as Saint Stephens A.D.

BRADENTON – It will be hard to miss the new Athletic Director at Saint Stephens Episcopal School. At 6'7, former European League basketball star Charles Williamson stands head and shoulders above the student body. Williamson is a graduate of Elon College where he excelled at hoops, earning a chance to live out his dream of playing professional basketball – in Europe.

Williamson spent 15 years playing for teams in the U.K., Austria and France. He became fluent in French and conversational in German and reached the pinnacle of outside-the-U.S. Basketball, the European Cup. With his playing days behind him, Williamson now helps mentor young student athletes and brings his experience as both a player and an administrator to Saint Stephens.  

David Samler

Williamson replaces longtime Saint Stephens A.D. David Samler who retired from the position this past June and is now the Director of Community Relations for the school. Samler began his career at Saint Stephens in 1979. Under  Samler, the Athletic Department expanded from 14 teams to 39, plus 3 club sports. Their golf program has become a Florida powerhouse with two 2A state championships, while producing numerous pros. In addition to the many administrative positions Samler held, he also coached basketball, soccer and baseball.