Albany, GA – Albany State University's Director of Athletics, Dr. Kristene Kelly, has announced the addition of three new staff members who will play pivotal roles in supporting the health, fitness, and success of ASU student-athletes. Carlton Clarke joins as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, while Titania Lester and Bishod Clark have been appointed as Assistant Athletic Trainers.

After a successful year with Allen University, Carlton Clarke joins Albany State, bringing a robust track record of athletic performance improvement and innovative training techniques. "It is an honor and privilege to join the ASU family," says Clarke. "I'm genuinely excited about helping our student-athletes grow physically, academically, and through character development. Together, we are and will remain unsinkable." During his tenure at Allen, Clarke helped propel the football team from a 1-9 record in the 2022-23 season to an impressive 7-3 in 2023-24, while implementing strength gains across multiple sports through a mix of Olympic lifts and targeted rehab programs. Clarke, an Orangeburg, SC native and graduate of Claflin University, holds extensive experience in high school and collegiate strength training.

"We're excited to have Coach Clarke join the Albany State family as our head strength and conditioning coach," said Dr. Kelly. "His record of elevating athletic performance and building a strong team culture fits right in with our #CreatingLegacies vision, and we look forward to the positive impact he'll have on our student-athletes."

Assistant Athletic Trainers Titania Lester and Bishod Clark will play essential roles in supporting ASU's commitment to athlete wellness and injury management. Bishod joins from Arkansas State University, where he worked with Track & Field and Football as an Athletic Trainer Intern, managing injury records, rehabilitation protocols, and implementing therapeutic interventions. Bishod, a Statesboro, GA native, holds a Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from the University of West Florida and a Master's degree in Kinesiology from Arkansas State University.

Titania Lester brings a wealth of experience from various high school and college settings, where she excelled in injury assessment, therapeutic interventions, and athletic rehabilitation. A graduate of Mercer University with a Master's in Athletic Training, Lester has worked with the Academy for Classical Education, Mary Persons High School, and Mercer University's NCAA Division I athletics program.

"Thanks to our partnership with Phoebe Putney, adding two athletic trainers further strengthens our commitment to the health and safety of our nearly 300 student-athletes," said Dr. Kelly. "We're thrilled to welcome Titania and Bishod to the ASU family, enhancing the well-being and performance of our athletes both on and off the field."

With these new additions, Albany State Athletics continues to strengthen its commitment to excellence, athlete care, and development across all programs.

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