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The Albany State University Athletics Department hosted its two-day annual staff retreat on July 21–22, bringing coaches, staff, and administrators together to reset, plan, and recommit to the work ahead.

Day one was held at Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club and featured a full-day strategy session led by veteran athletics leader Dr. Tamica Smith Jones. The team set departmental KPIs, discussed priorities, and locked in on the 2025–26 theme: From Intention to Impact to Results.

Day two began with a service project at the Albany Rescue Mission, where staff packed toiletry bags, organized donated clothes, and unloaded food deliveries. The retreat ended with a little friendly competition and camaraderie at Craft Axe Throwing in Albany.

"Our staff worked hard last year, and it showed," said Director of Athletics Dr. Kristene Kelly. "We finished with a 3.12 department GPA, graduated 68 student-athletes...including three with master's degrees, and had nine of our eleven teams finish in the top three in the conference. Two brought home championships, and three others played for the title."

"This retreat was about building on that foundation," Kelly continued. "We were intentional about where we want to go and how we'll get there. That means clear expectations, shared accountability, and everyone rowing in the same direction. It also means pausing to give back and connect as a team."

Other voices from the retreat:

Mark Brown, Coordinator of Athletics Facilities and Operations:
"As a new member of the ASU Athletics staff, the retreat was a great way to meet the full team and see our culture in action. Dr. Jones challenged us to shift our mindset, and the service project reminded us how easy it is to make a difference. Axe throwing was the perfect way to end it, with some fun, friendly competition to kick off the year."

Nescotia Harrison, Director of Football Operations:
"Dr. Smith-Jones reminded us that we're stronger working together, not against each other. Dr. Kelly's rowing activity drove that home—different roles, same direction. I appreciated the honest conversations, new connections, and shared ideas to improve fan engagement, revenue, and overall collaboration."

Kenneth Taylor, Head Men's and Women's Cross-Country/Track & Field Coach:
"It was great to bring our department together, especially with so many new faces, to reflect on last year and chart the course for what's next. Dr. Jones' guidance and Dr. Kelly's expectations left me fired up to help elevate ASU Athletics."

With the year ahead clearly in focus, the department is more committed than ever to Creating Legacies...on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the Albany community.
 
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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 11 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, baseball, and football. All teams compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.