Hello RAMily!
As I enter my fourth year as Director of Athletics at Albany State University, I do so with tremendous gratitude and pride in what we have accomplished together, and even greater excitement about where Golden Rams Athletics is headed.
The 2025–26 academic year was truly a year of years for our department.
Most importantly, we celebrated 90 graduates, the most during my time at Albany State. That accomplishment speaks directly to our purpose and our responsibility to ensure our student-athletes leave Albany State prepared for what comes next.
Competitively, our Golden Rams continued to raise the standard. Women’s Cross Country captured its second consecutive SIAC Championship, while Golden Rams Football delivered a historic season, winning the 2026 SIAC Football Championship and the Division II HBCU National Championship. Softball captured the SIAC Eastern Division Championship, and nearly every Golden Rams program finished in the top third of the conference, demonstrating the competitive strength and consistency of our department as a whole.
Those accomplishments represent exactly what we want Albany State Athletics to be about: creating champions in competition, in the classroom, and in life.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Our progress continues to be visible throughout our athletic facilities as well.
Over the past several years, we have intentionally invested in spaces that directly impact the student-athlete and fan experience. During 2025–26, that progress continued with significant improvements to our baseball and softball facilities.
Most notably, we completed major technology upgrades inside West Campus Arena and HPER Gymnasium, including the installation of a new video board and upgrades to our scoring and display systems. These investments have transformed the atmosphere in both venues and enhanced the game-day experience for our student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and fans.
These projects build upon the more than $3 million in externally funded facility enhancements secured during my tenure, including:
- ASU Coliseum enhancements, including new blue turf and football game-day locker room upgrades
- Sanford Hall equipment, furniture, and branding improvements
- East Campus Aquatics Center pool resurfacing
- Volleyball locker room improvements
- Athletic Training Room upgrades
- Baseball and softball facility improvements
- West Campus softball scoreboard
- LED lighting upgrades in West Campus Arena and HPER Gymnasium
- Video board, scoreboard, and display upgrades in West Campus Arena and HPER Gymnasium
THE WORK CONTINUES
While there is much to celebrate, we are not standing still.
Our theme for 2026–27 is Ownership.
Ownership of our standard. Ownership of our preparation. Ownership of our student-athlete experience. And ownership of the responsibility we each have to continue moving Albany State Athletics forward.
Our goal remains simple: to provide the best possible experience for our student-athletes and create the best possible workplace for our coaches and staff.
Championships matter. Facilities matter. Game-day experiences matter. But ultimately, our greatest responsibility is preparing our student-athletes to leave Albany State better than they arrived and ready to make an impact wherever life takes them.
As we enter another year, we remain committed to improving, evolving, and building upon the foundation that has been established. There is much to celebrate, and there is still much work to do.
To our alumni, fans, parents, donors, partners, campus community, and the entire Golden Ram Nation: thank you for continuing to believe in and support our student-athletes and Albany State University.
I look forward to seeing you throughout the 2026–27 season.
Go Golden Rams!
Dr. Kristene Kelly
Director of Athletics
#CreatingLegacies
