In the two years since he was named Director of Athletics in May 2024, Ricky Ray has overseen significant growth and development within Stetson Athletics, with a focus on competitive excellence, financial responsibility, student-athlete success, and strategic investment.
Under his leadership, Stetson completed a $12.5 million renovation of the Edmunds Center. The project introduced enhanced fan amenities, modernized locker rooms, expanded office and meeting space, a creative content studio, and improved accessibility. Ray also led a renovation the Wilson Athletic Center, which was connected to the Edmunds Center by the Dahlgren Champions Walkway. The renovated facility includes a 1,600-square-foot academic support lounge, upgraded weight room and athletic training space, and additional offices. The Cooper Beach Volleyball Complex was also expanded from three to five courts, positioning Stetson to host conference and regional tournaments.
Academic and student-athlete development have remained priorities. During the 2025-26 academic year, Stetson student-athletes posted a cumulative 3.17 GPA, with 321 student-athletes earning a 3.0 or higher and 50 achieving a perfect 4.0. Fourteen of 19 programs recorded team GPAs of 3.2 or higher. The department completed its first comprehensive Title IX review in more than a decade and expanded mental health and sports psychology programming.
Beyond facilities and competitive success, Ray has expanded Stetson Athletics' community and national profile. The department launched HatterFest, attracting more than 3,000 attendees, increased attendance and event revenue across several sports, and achieved year-over-year growth in corporate sponsorship revenue, annual giving, and licensing revenue.
Stetson's competitive success has continued. Since May 2024, Stetson programs have won multiple ASUN championships, including men's soccer, women's tennis, baseball, men's tennis, beach volleyball, and softball. Baseball earned NCAA Tournament victories over Alabama and NC State in consecutive seasons, while softball defeated Florida State in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Stetson teams have also recorded more than 20 victories over Power Four opponents during this time.
Beyond facility enhancements, Ray's tenure has been marked by key administrative and coaching appointments. He hired head coaches Mike Jasper (football), Sue Murphy (lacrosse), and Kristin McWilliams (cross country), Melissa DeVore (women's basketball) and Shane Gierke (baseball).
Ray brings extensive experience to Stetson, having previously served in senior leadership roles at multiple Division I institutions.
As the Executive Associate Athletics Director at William & Mary from 2022 to 2024, Ray served as the department's chief business strategist. He was responsible for developing revenue-generating initiatives, including strategic partnerships and external contracts for multimedia rights, apparel, and licensing. Ray oversaw marketing, communications, creative services, ticketing, and corporate sales, and was a sport administrator for men's basketball and women's soccer. During his tenure, the university saw numerous increases in revenue and attendance.
Before joining William & Mary, Ray was the Deputy Athletics Director at Campbell University for six years. He successfully increased corporate sales, ticket revenue, and licensing. Notably, during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 football season, he arranged a four-game series against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents, which resulted in national television coverage and millions of dollars in exposure. He was also the sport administrator for football, men's basketball, and men's soccer and oversaw the on-campus operations of the Buies Creek Astros, a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Houston Astros.
Ray's background also includes experience in external affairs at Troy University, media relations and marketing at Georgia Southern University, and broadcasting at East Carolina University. He also has a background in revenue generation within Minor League Baseball.
Ray holds a Doctor of Education from Marshall University, a Master of Science in Sport Science from the University of Central Missouri, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Campbell University.
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