On Oct. 17, 2022, Ryan Erlacher became the third director of athletics in Augusta University's history. Erlacher has made an immediate impact in Augusta. During his first year at the helm, academic excellence, branding, facility enhancement, competitive success, and community engagement have become hallmarks of the Augusta Athletics Department.
During his first twelve months, Erlacher has ushered in a new era, announcing a new partnership with Under Armour/BSN as the official apparel for Jaguar athletics. He also announced the induction of the first Augusta Athletics Hall of Fame for 2025. In addition to a complete branding overhaul of Christenberry Fieldhouse, Erlacher also secured funding for facility enhancements for all 13 sports. Facility enhancement projects include a full Christenberry Fieldhouse renovation, a new sports performance center, stadium seating projects for baseball and softball, renovation of the J. Fleming Norvell Golf House, and new locker room facilities for track & field, cross country, tennis, baseball, and softball.
Augusta University student-athletes continued to demonstrate the culture of academic excellence that has become a hallmark of Jaguar athletics programs, with eleven of thirteen AU teams registering a 3.0 GPA or higher. Five AU teams earned conference championships in 2022-2023 while six programs were tabbed for NCAA postseason appearances.
Erlacher's first year saw the implementation of new Department of Athletics Core Values. Developed in conjunction with every member of the Jaguar athletics staff, the AU Athletics Core Values are used to impact the culture of the entire department. The five Core Values are integrity, professionalism, excellence, trust, and being purposeful. The values work together with the Student-Athlete Pledge, which was also created through team-based efforts and serves as a promise outlining what student-athletes can expect from members of Augusta Athletics.
Prior to his time with Augusta University, Erlacher served for over 18 years as a coach and administrator in intercollegiate athletics. As chief athletics administrator at Clayton State, he oversaw 11 sports and managed more than 30 staff members. The Clayton State athletics program experienced unprecedented success under Erlacher's leadership. Known as an innovative, transformational and student-athlete centered leader, he led Clayton State Athletics to achieve significant growth in multiple areas and left his mark on Laker Nation.
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-ever finish 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 reached all-time highs during Erlacher's tenure. Community partnerships 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 experienced unprecedented heights. From 2018-2021, the department raised over $120,000. 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.
Erlacher left the Lakers in good financial shape. During his time with the program, the athletics reserve increased 1,500% and the foundation account by 340%.
Soon after his arrival at CSU, 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. Under his leadership, academic success within Clayton State Athletics reached an all-time high, with the department achieving above a 3.0 GPA for eight consecutive semesters prior to his departure and earning the department’s highest GPA is program history in 2021.
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 2020-2022 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.
Prior to Clayton State, Erlacher served as the senior associate director of athletics at fellow Peach Belt Conference member institution Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla., from 2011-18. Erlacher had a brief stop at Newman University as associate director of athletics in 2010, and as assistant athletic director at Northwood University from 2007-10. At the outset of his professional career, Erlacher worked at Florida State University as an athletics assistant from 2006-07 and fellow DI Stetson University from 2004-05. With the latter, he was director of basketball operations for the Hatters.
Erlacher began his career as a student assistant for the Flagler College men's basketball team under legendary coach Bo Clark. During that time, the Saints went 91-27 and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in program history, reaching No. 2 in the national rankings.
Erlacher earned a bachelor's degree in sport management from Flagler College in 2004 and a master's degree in sport administration from Florida State in 2007. He and his wife Kellie reside in Evans, GA and are the proud parents of son Austin and daughter Isabelle .
