CLEVELAND – Cleveland State University president Dr. Laura Bloomberg has announced the contract extension for Director of Athletics Kelsie Gory Harkey, as approved by the CSU Board of Trustees through June 30, 2028. Gory Harkey began her tenure as CSU's Director of Athletics on May 16, 2024 and served as the interim athletics director for six months prior.

"It is an honor to continue to serve our student-athletes, coaches and staff as Director of Athletics at Cleveland State University" Gory Harkey said. "Thank you to Dr. Bloomberg and the CSU Board of Trustees for their leadership of this university and the trust placed in me to provide a transformational student-athlete experience for all. We will continue to build champions in the classroom, the community and through competition."

Gory Harkey oversees the day-to-day operations of the athletics department and is a member of President Bloomberg's cabinet and senior leadership team. She is responsible for supporting Cleveland State's varsity athletics programs, encompassing over 360 student-athletes in addition to coaches and support staff. 

"It has been a pleasure to work with an athletic director who is strategic and also so invested in our student-athletes," Dr. Bloomberg said. "Thanks to Kelsie's leadership, CSU has a sustainable athletics program that promotes academic success and personal growth in its athletes."

Under Gory Harkey's leadership during her first 18 months, Cleveland State has enjoyed athletic success, including 12 Horizon League team or individual championships. Three teams – men's tennis, volleyball and softball – competed in the NCAA Tournament. Individually, men's fencing student-athlete Jesse Ndjeka was a two-time NCAA Finals qualifier while Daniel Bucknavich competed at both the 2024 and 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships. In her first year as athletics director, Cleveland State collected 54 all-Horizon League honors, including 14 major award winners.

Gory Harkey guided the Vikings lacrosse program into the Northeast Conference, after previously competing in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Academically, the athletics department has had three valedictorians under Gory Harkey's tenure, with Kiersten Clark (women's soccer), Jenna Deang (softball) and Brooke Brockman (women's soccer) all earning the honor.

Prior to her appointment, Gory Harkey served as Deputy Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator for four years. She worked closely with former Director of Athletics Scott Garrett and the athletics senior leadership on the strategic and day-to-day operations of Cleveland State's athletic program, including overseeing all of the department's internal units and functions including academics, business affairs, equipment, facilities, sports medicine, p-strength and conditioning and student-athlete development. In addition, Gory Harkey worked with CSU's Office of General Counsel to supervise the university's athletics compliance program.  She has also served as a sport supervisor for a host of CSU athletic programs throughout her tenure.

A proven leader with a background that includes experience as an athletics event manager at Ohio State and championship operations with the NCAA, Gory Harkey joined Cleveland State from Johns Hopkins University having most recently served as assistant athletics director and senior woman administrator.

Gory Harkey earned her undergraduate degree in business administration from Ohio State in 2013 and received her master's degree in sports administration from Ohio in 2019.