ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany Department of Athletics has announced the addition of three new employees, including two individuals to the ranks of its senior staff.  Joining the department are Catie Campbell, serving as Associate Athletics Director for Academic Services, and Mike McKercher, serving as Associate Athletics Director for Development. 
 
Additionally, Maryfrancis Keegan joins Athletics from the UAlbany President's Office as the Department's administrative assistant.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome three new staff members to our Great Dane family," said Director of Athletics Mark Benson.  "Catie, Mike, and Maryfrancis fill critical department roles that will allow us to continue offering the best possible services to our student-athletes, coaches, and staff."
 
Campbell moves to the Capital Region after spending the last five years at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as an Academic Coordinator for the Mocs' athletic department.  There, she oversaw academic progress of the student-athletes on the football and men's basketball teams, and previously worked with cross country, track & field, and tennis.  Additionally, Campbell created the Mocs' Career Development Institute, which offered student-athletes three career-focused events per semester to prepare them for life after graduation, and she taught a section of the university's first-year student requirement "First Year Experience" to assist in new students' transition from high school to college.
 
"I am so excited to be joining the athletic department at the University at Albany," said Campbell.  "Everyone has been so welcoming, and I want to thank Mark Benson and the search committee for the opportunity to join such a dynamic team.  I am thrilled to assist student athletes in the pursuit of becoming Great Leaders, Great Champions, and Great Danes."
 
McKercher returns to athletics after spending five years, from 2016-21, at Stetson University as the Hatters' Assistant AD, before ultimately serving as Associate AD for External Operations.  McKercher previously worked in the America East Conference for Binghamton University from 2012-16, working in various development roles in athletics and for the university .  While at Stetson, McKercher oversaw the external funding for the Department of Athletics, including major, annual, and capital gifts.  He also negotiated and secured new multimedia rights opportunities for the department.  Following his tenure at Stetson, McKercher was Northeast Territory Manager for 1-800-PACK-RAT, overseeing facilities operations from Rochester, N.Y. to Boston.
 
"I am thankful and honored to have been selected by Director of Athletics Mark Benson, Vice President Fardin Sanai, and the Office of Development to be the Associate Athletic Director for Development at the University at Albany," said McKercher.  "It is an honor to become a part of the University at Albany as well as the community of Albany.  Everyone has been extremely welcoming, and I look forward to making a positive impact on the growth and development of UAlbany Athletics and making Albany my family's home."
 
Joining UAlbany Athletics from across campus, Keegan previously worked in UAlbany's Office of the President.  Over her 23-year career before joining the University, she worked in several New York State departments, including the Office of General Services and the New York State Research and Development Authority.  She has also worked for retired New York State Assembly member Paul Tonko and in the Office of the New York State Senate Majority Leader.  Keegan holds an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Hudson Valley Community College.
 
"I am extremely excited to have joined Athletics and have the chance to work with a diverse group of uniquely talented people," said Keegan.  "Everyone has been beyond welcoming, and I look forward to my future with this department."
 
UAlbany is a member of the America East Conference in 16 of 18 varsity sports, while women's golf is an associate member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The University's football team, a Division I Football Championship Subdivision program, is an associate member of the Coastal Athletic Association.
 
UAlbany has earned the Stuart P. Haskell Jr. Commissioner's Cup, which honors the America East's top-performing athletics department, eight times overall, including six-straight years from 2013-2018, and most recently in 2021-22. The Great Danes have not finished lower than second in the Commissioner's Cup standings since the 2009-10 season.  UAlbany has won 128 conference championships and has made 60 NCAA Tournament appearances since moving to Division I in 1999.