Townsend served the University at Buffalo for twelve years with the last two as Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. Townsend took the University at Buffalo from Division III to Division I in just three and one-half years and was the institution's first African-American Director of Athletics. While at the University at Buffalo, Townsend served as chairman of the NCAA Olympic Liaison Committee and was named an active member of the United States Olympic Committee. Buffalo hosted the 1993 World University Games and Townsend was awarded the "Buffalo Achievement Award" for his leadership in those games which 105 nations competed.