For the second time, Robert Walker is preparing to take the reins of Jackson State’s athletics program.

The Vicksburg native and former mayor will formally move into the position of interim athletics director at Jackson State on Sunday, two weeks after he was tasked with the job. It’ll be Walker’s second stint as interim athletics director. He previously was in the position from February to August 2011, the last time there was a vacancy.

“I’ll always be doing something over here,” Walker joked when reached at his home on Friday.

Walker, who served two tersm as Vicksburg’s mayor from 1989-93 and again from 1997-2001, declined to elaborate on his plans as athletics director until after he officially takes over. He did say, however, that he plans to be “open and honest and available” in the job.

Walker said he’ll serve in the job until a permanent athletics director is found through a national search.

“I don’t know of a particular timeline. We will have a national search,” he said.

Walker will replace Vivian Fuller, who was reassigned to the position of associate vice provost for student affairs on Feb. 14.

On Thursday, a hree-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by a former JSU employee against Fuller.

The lawsuit was filed by Vivian Fuller’s former secretary, Lolita Ward. Ward alleged Fuller subjected her to inappropriate comments, gestures and touching in 2011. The lawsuit argues Ward was fired in October 2011 after rejecting the advances.

U.S. District Judge William H. Barbour Jr. said last March that Ward failed to prove any of her allegations. The 5th Circuit panel said Ward failed to show JSU knew about her harassment complaint at the time she was fired.

•

The Associated Press contributed to this report.