MORROW, Ga.-- After serving as the Director of Athletics for Clayton State University the past four years, Ryan Erlacher will be leaving the program this Friday (October 7th) to take over as the next Director of Athletics at Augusta University.
 
"Ryan has an incomparable passion to inspire student-athletes in both their academic and athletic accomplishments and has greatly improved the competitiveness of the athletics program during his time at Clayton State," said Interim President Kerry Heyward. "Under his leadership, Clayton State's athletics program has surpassed numerous records and has achieved department firsts in academic excellence, community engagement, and competitive success and fundraising. He'll leave behind an imprint of excellence that we will continue to build upon as we provide our students with opportunities to excel on and off the court/field."
 
The Clayton State athletics program experienced unprecedented success under Erlacher's leadership. Known as an innovative, transformational and student-athlete centered leader, he has led Clayton State Athletics to achieve significant growth in multiple areas and left his mark on Laker Nation.
 
"The past four years at Clayton State have been very special", said Erlacher. "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve this athletics department and for the relationships built. The awards, accolades, big wins and other accomplishments have been wonderful, but what has meant the most to me are the people that make up our amazing staff and student-athlete population.  We have a great team here!"
 
"We set a bold vision for our athletics program four years ago, and looking back, it truly is amazing everything that we've accomplished. Personally, what I'm most proud of is the team we've become." 
 
"Anytime you leave an organization, the goal is to leave it in better shape than how you found it. I believe I was able to do that at CSU. Ultimately, our athletics team is the one that deserves all the credit for our success. It was a pleasure serving Laker Nation and a sincere thanks goes out to everyone for the wonderful memories that will last me a lifetime." 

With a positive student-athlete experience being of the utmost importance, one of Erlacher's major initiatives was the formation of a comprehensive set of core values for Laker Athletics early in his tenure. Developed in conjunction with every member of the Clayton State Athletics staff, these values intentionally focus on elevating service standards, shaping a team first culture and setting a higher standard aimed at comprehensive excellence. Working hand-in-hand with that philosophy, is the Student-Athlete Pledge, which was also created through team-based efforts and defines the type of experience Clayton State student-athletes can expect to receive from their coaches, support staff and athletics administration.

That investment paid off with the Lakers posting their highest finish over the past eight years in both the Peach Belt Conference Commissioner's Cup and Learfield IMG Director's Cup. In addition, the department has seen approximately 50% of their programs qualify for NCAA Division II postseason competition and 90% of teams qualify for PBC postseason play. Several teams have been ranked in the Top 25, multiple Coach and Player of the Year honors have been earned and numerous student-athlete academics and athletics achievements attained within the Peach Belt Conference and at the national level.

Clayton State Athletics fundraising has reached all-time highs under during Erlacher's tenure.
 
Community partnerships have thrived, experiencing a 225% increase in the total number of partners since 2018, accounting for a 580% rise in overall partnership values.
 
During Give4Dreams, the University's Day of Giving Challenge, Laker Athletics has experienced unprecedented heights. In 2019, the department raised $24,015, a 1,900% increase from the previous year, setting then program records for amount raised and number of donors. In 2020, the department raised $41,466, a 73% increase from the previous campaign. In 2021, the department raised over $50,000 and saw 375 donors contribute, a 250% increase over the annual goal. The accomplishments marked the highest number of donors and amount raised compared to any other campaign across campus. In 2022, the Lakers raised an astonishing $130,000, 6,742% more than the 2018 campaign among 545 donors. The department received the Clayton State University Division Cup for their fundraising efforts, and again, experienced the most donors and total amount raised across campus.
 
Between 2018 and 2022, the department received its largest gift in program history, secure naming rights for multiple athletics facilities on campus, and would go on to produce sold out events and record crowds for their annual Athletics Hall of Fame. In addition, the Laker Golf Classic, the department's annual golf fundraiser, experienced a 67% increase in funds raised in 2021 setting new program records for funds raised, number of teams, sponsorships, and overall participation.

Soon after his arrival, Erlacher implemented a new academic excellence plan aimed at increasing resources and assistance for student-athletes to position them to achieve greater success in the classroom. That year, (2018-19) the Lakers would go on to earn their first 3.0 grade point average (GPA) as a department, an achievement they've duplicated every semester since.

Despite COVID-19, Laker student-athletes continued their dominance in the classroom from 2019-2021, setting program records in all academic categories and earning their highest department wide GPA to date in 2021 with a 3.131. 
 
The accomplishments in the classroom led the Lakers to earn the prestigious PBC President's Academic Award for three consecutive years (2019, 2021 & 2022), the first time a PBC member institution has 3-peated.

Community engagement was at an all-time high in 2020 and 2021 when Clayton State Athletics finished both years ranked #4 in the country among NCAA DII member institutions for number of community services hours completed.
 
In 2021, the Lakers were named a finalist for the 2021 NCAA Award of Excellence.
 
Erlacher is leaving the Lakers is good financial shape. During his time with the program, the athletics reserve has increased 1,500% and the foundation account by 340%.

One of many firsts for the program was a newly created online fan shop was established in 2019.  This made www.ShopClaytonStateSports.com the new official online home for all Clayton State Athletics merchandise. In addition, Clayton State hosted their first Professional Football Hall of Famer during its 2019 Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony as Elvin Bethea, Class of 2003, greeted fans and delivered the keynote speech.
 
With branding and messaging a priority for the department, the Lakers have seen numerous facility enhancements over the past four years. These have included updates to the OrthoAtlanta Athletic Training Room, Laker Field, H. Mason Barfield Basketball Court, Dr. Joseph Wilkes Sports Performance Center, and the addition of custom signage throughout all athletics facilities. Additionally, Erlacher oversaw the final stages of a million-dollar renovation to the Athletics Center in 2018.
 
In 2021, the weight room became the Dr. Joseph Wilkes Sports Performance Center, named after longtime team physician and supporter of the Lakers. The space has been transformed into a modern training facility equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and CSU branding throughout. 
 
In 2022, the department opened The Lata Mahajan Chinnan Athletics Hall of Fame Wall that recognizes Clayton State Athletics Hall of Fame members and named after longtime CSU supporter and board of trustee.
 
The creation of several new positions also took place under Erlacher's leadership, including the addition of the Lakers first full-time head strength and conditioning coach. For the first time in program history, a standalone head track & field coach position was created, making it the first of its kind in the PBC. Other positions created were in athletics development, cross county, operations, facilities and alumni engagement.

Clayton State would like to wish the Erlacher family the very best with their move to Augusta. Longtime Clayton State athletics staff member and assistant AD, Mike Mead, will serve as the interim AD for the Lakers until a permanent replacement is announced.

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