AMERICUS—“Coach” is stepping down after 29 years in collegiate athletics.

President Kendall A. Blanchard, Ph.D. today announced that Randolph Barksdale is resigning as Georgia Southwestern State University’s athletic director. Associate Athletic Director Jaclyn Kaylor is stepping in as GSW’s new AD. Kaylor will assume responsibility of her new position on November 17.

“Jaclyn has done an outstanding job as associate athletic director,” Blanchard said. “She has played an instrumental part in our transition to NCAA Division II and has proven her leadership capabilities. We are confident that she will succeed in moving the athletic program to the next level.”

“It has been a joy to lead the athletic department’s shift from NAIA to NCAA Division II status and to watch the University grow with a new record enrollment,” said Barksdale.  “As associate AD, Jaclyn has been a leader in the move to Division II, and she will do a great job taking Georgia Southwestern forward as a competitive school in the Peach Belt Conference.”

While Barksdale is retiring from athletics, he will remain a fixture on campus serving as the Special Assistant to the President. In this role, he will continue nurturing the University’s recent expanded presence on state two-year college campuses.

“I am pleased that Coach Barksdale has agreed to stay on and cultivate Georgia Southwestern’s recruiting efforts on two-year college campuses,” added Blanchard. “He was a dynamic leader as a coach and athletic director, and he will excel in this task.”

Barksdale has served as the Hurricanes’ AD since August 2001. During that time, the ‘Canes have won two coference championships, made 13 appearances in regional tournaments, been the home of 19 All-Americans and eight Academic All-Americans. As a collegiate basketball coach, Barksdale recorded 537 wins in 27 seasons, 374 of those came as coach of the Hurricanes (1979-1987; 1996-2006).

When Barksdale took the reigns of the University’s athletic department, there were seven sports in play. Following the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II, the ‘Canes have 10 sports: men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, women’s cross-country, men’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s softball and men’s and women’s tennis.

Kaylor steps in as the first female athletic director at Georgia Southwestern, in the Peach Belt Conference and one of only 55 in NCAA Division II athletics.

“I am excited to say the least -- and pleased with the confidence supporting this appointment,” said Kaylor. “I am grateful to Dr. Blanchard for entrusting this responsibility to me, but my sincerest thanks go to Randolph Barksdale for standing behind me, teaching me, pushing me to be better, and believing that I am ready to step forward.  I can certainly never take his place, but I hope I will be able to earn from others the amount of respect I have for him as a leader.”

Prior to her appointment as athletic director, Kaylor worked her way through the ranks of collegiate athletics at Southwestern. From August 2007 to the present, Kaylor served as the Hurricanes’ associate athletic director overseeing many of the day-to-day operations within the department. For a brief stint, she served as interim sports information director.

Kaylor arrived at GSW in 2004 as the head athletic trainer, a role she carried until summer 2007. In that three year span, Kaylor wore a number of hats serving as assistant athletic director, NCAA compliance coordinator and instructor.

In 2006, Kaylor was voted the Southern States Athletic Conference Athletic Trainer of the year, and she has several professional affiliations within collegiate athletics and the community. She is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors, the National Association of Collegiate Woman Athletics Administrators, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the Americus Chapter of Rotary International.

A native of Leesburg and a resident of Americus, Kaylor graduated with honors from Georgia Southern University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology. She earned a Master of Science in kinesiology and health promotion from the University of Kentucky in 2002. Kaylor is dedicated to advance Georgia Southwestern Athletics as a strong competitor in the Peach Belt.

“When I arrived at GSW as the athletic trainer I honestly never envisioned myself as the athletic director,” Kaylor said.  “But, I feel a deep sense of commitment to the student-athletes, coaches and staff who call Georgia Southwestern Athletics home and as the athletic director I hope to make their experience here the best one possible.“

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For additional information or assistance, contact Sports Information Director Keith Michlig at (229) 931-2217.

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