Stetson University has selected Ricky Ray, an experienced leader in intercollegiate athletics at William & Mary, as the new Director of Athletics.

Ray currently is Executive Associate Athletics Director for External Operations at the historic college in Williamsburg, Virginia, and brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in intercollegiate athletics and professional sports.

He will start May 6 and replace Jeff Altier, who is retiring after 27 years in the position.

Ray said he was excited to participate in Stetson’s national search for an athletics director just as the Men’s Basketball team made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. He wants to keep that momentum alive, going forward.

“Obviously, the entire community saw what that kind of success can do for the institution as a whole,” said Ray, who earned a Doctor of Education from Marshall University in West Virginia. “Now is the time to build on that.”

Stetson’s search committee unanimously recommended Ray to Stetson President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD, who noted his stellar reputation in intercollegiate athletics.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ricky Ray as Stetson’s Athletics Director,” President Roellke said. “An excellent fundraiser with considerable financial acumen, Ricky has accomplished so much in promoting student athlete well-being, the fan experience and community engagement through athletics. I and the entire senior leadership team are looking forward to working with Ricky for years to come.”

At Stetson, Ray will lead a department with about 85 coaches and staff, and more than 440 student athletes. Stetson competes in NCAA Division I athletics, sponsoring 18 teams and a cheer program.

At William & Mary, Ray oversees marketing, ticketing, creative services, communications and licensing for the college’s 23 NCAA Division I sports. He has set revenue records during his two years there and served as its interim CFO.

Ray began his career in various external roles at Georgia Southern University. He then became a broadcaster for East Carolina University, Director of External Affairs for the Carolina Mudcats, a Minor League Baseball team, and General Manager at Troy University in Alabama. He also worked as Deputy Athletics Director for his alma mater, Campbell University in North Carolina, where he earned a B.A. in Mass Communication.

As an undergraduate at Campbell, Ray worked in the communications office for the athletics department, including as the play-by-play broadcaster when the Women’s Basketball team once played the Hatters in Stetson’s Edmunds Center.

“Even though I wasn’t a student athlete in the truest sense, I was part of athletics as a student, and it was such a huge part of my college experience. It really helped me to be able to go to college,” said Ray, a first-generation student. “I’ve just been very appreciative and always tried to pay that forward.”