Saint Ursula Academy welcomed Kelly Powers on June 1, 2021, as its new Athletic Director. Powers comes to Saint Ursula from the University of Cincinnati, where she served as Associate A.D. Olympic Sports Performance since 2008. She was responsible for everything from the strength and conditioning of UC Women’s Basketball and Volleyball teams to the recruiting processes for athletes and coaches and budgeting for her department. Her skills and experience will be a tremendous asset as she assumes the lead athletics role at Saint Ursula.
Powers calls her new role a “dream come true.” She became familiar with Saint Ursula when the University of Cincinnati women’s basketball and volleyball teams called SUA home for two seasons during the construction of their new arena.
“Student-athletes at UC would talk with such passion and through my interviews, I knew SUA was exactly where I was supposed to be. The women’s leadership here is tremendous and I am ecstatic to be a part of it.”
She says she has big plans in her new role.
“As Athletic Director I plan to be first and foremost a positive role model for our young women. I will help each student-athlete prepare for life after high school and help the students to establish healthy behaviors where they can serve each other and the community positively.”
Powers is excited to get to know the adults and students in the SUA community as the new school year approaches.
“I will learn about the coaching staff and student-athletes to help prepare them for elevated success. I plan to be heavily involved in the community. I am so looking forward to developing relationships with the Saint Ursula community and pouring into the vision and mission of being a thinker, leader, nurturer, and prophet.”
“We are so thrilled to welcome Kelly to our team and know her energy, experience, and passion will be a great asset to our student-athletes and athletic programs, as well as our entire school community,” said SUA Principal Dr. Mari Thomas.
As Powers gets to know the students and her new colleagues at Saint Ursula, we asked her a few fun questions to help the community get to know her as well.
SUA: Why did you decide to become an AD?
Kelly Powers: I had been a strength and conditioning coach for nearly 20 years and knew early in my career that I wanted to be in a position of leadership for an athletic department. I had a strong desire to help people be their best versions of themselves.
SUA: Favorite vacation spot
Kelly Powers: Anywhere with an ocean…Preferably the Gulf of Mexico
SUA: Favorite leisure activity
Kelly Powers: Running, yoga, reading
SUA: Favorite flavor of ice cream
Kelly Powers: Anything chocolate and peanut butter!
SUA: Share some details about your ongoing coach training
Kelly Powers: Each summer, I do a one-day women's clinic for young female and male strength and conditioning coaches. It's a great platform to teach and empower young professionals in the field of strength and conditioning. It's targeted towards women but men are welcome as well. It has been online the past two years but usually in person and people fly in from all over the country.
SUA: Anything else you would like to share?
Kelly Powers: I grew up in Massachusetts and played college basketball in West Virginia. I have run two full marathons and numerous half marathons. I am one of 27 female (237 male and female total) master strength and conditioning coaches in the nation.
SUA: Tell us about your family
Kelly Powers: I have been married to my husband for 10 years this September. He is the reason I have stayed in Cincinnati (you can thank him :) . My daughter Isabelle is 7 years old. She is already a mini Bulldog. She has come to games and attended volleyball camp. My son Brody is 6 and has a tremendous passion for baseball (taking after his dad). They attend Crosby Elementary School.
Powers takes the reins from former AD Craig Maliborski, who remains at SUA and moves full-time to the SUA Math department.