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Albany State University announced the appointment of Dr. Kristene Kelly as its new Director of Athletics. Dr. Kelly joins Albany State from Vanderbilt, where she served as Deputy Athletic Director for Internal Affairs/Senior Woman Administrator. Dr. Kelly takes the reins from Tony Duckworth, who stepped down as Athletic Director earlier this year in February after serving in the position for three years.
“I am thrilled and honored to be named the new Director of Athletics at Albany State University,” Dr. Kelly said in the statement. “Returning to the vibrant atmosphere of Historically Black Colleges and Universities fills me with an exhilarating sense of joy and purpose. I am immensely grateful to President Fedrick and the Search Committee for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Coach Skinner for his invaluable services as the Interim AD, and I am grateful for his contributions to the program. I am excited to contribute my passion, expertise, and dedication to further empower our student-athletes and foster a thriving athletic program that represents the rich legacy of HBCUs.”
Dr. Kelley boasts a 20-year career working in collegiate athletics. She is an alumna of Johnson C. Smith University, where she graduated with a bachelor's in Physical Education and Communication Arts. She earned her Master of Science in Human Performance and Sports Studies, Sports Management from Tennessee, where she worked as a counselor and graduate assistant. Upon completing her master's degree, Dr. Kelley returned to Johnson C. Smith and served as Sports Information Director from 2002-2009 before working at Saint Augustine's University as Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator from 2009-2015. She earned her doctoral degree in Sport Management in 2014 while studying at the United States Sports Academy.
After departing Saint Augustine's in 2016, she went on to work in Athletic Administration at Division III Keene State College & Division I Dartmouth College before joining Vanderbilt in September 2020. As part of her role as Deputy Athletic Director for Internal Affairs/Senior Woman Administrator at Vanderbilt, she managed various internal departments, including sports performance (which covered applied sports science, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and mental health), academic affairs, compliance, human resources, and the recreational center.
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Dr. Kelley now heads an Albany State athletics program that looks to rebuild on past success with a new administrative and coaching regime. Head Coach Gabe Giardina, who led the Rams to three straight SIAC Championship Games and a win in 2021, left the program to coach at Division I Charleston-Southern. After a national search, MEAC Hall of Fame quarterback & former NFL player Quinn Gray was hired.
Gray and former AD Duckworth experienced backlash after offering a scholarship to recruit Marcus Stokes. Stokes, a four-star quarterback, was released from his scholarship at the University of Florida after a video of him rapping a song with the “N-word” surfaced. The recruitment of Stokes is said to have led to the resignation of Duckworth.
Albany State President Marion Ross Fedrick expressed her enthusiasm about Dr. Kelly's appointment, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Kelly to our university community. Her proven track record of leadership and success in college athletics makes her the perfect choice to lead our athletic department. We eagerly anticipate the positive impact she will have on our student-athletes, coaches, and the entire community.”
