Derita Ratcliffe
Athletic Director

Come run with the Thorobreds!  We are excited about the 2006 campaign for the Thorobreds and happy to have you join the fun. 

The Athletics Department is headed by Portsmouth, Virginia native Derita Ratcliffe, who came to Kentucky State from Eastern Kentucky University.  As Associate Athletic Director for Administration and Compliance/Senior Woman Administrator at EKU, she supervised several of the University’s 16 sports, was heavily involved with departmental policy development and publications, and coordinated compliance efforts.  She also spent a significant amount of time building relationships with other offices on EKU’s campus, and served as the departmental liaison to Admissions and Academic Support Services for Student-Athletes.  During her five and a half year tenure at EKU, Ratcliffe reports that she had the opportunity to work with some outstanding leaders in intercollegiate athletics including Jeff Long [currently AD at the University of Pittsburgh], Chip Smith [currently AD at Western Carolina University], John Shafer and Jack Lengyl.  “These men represent a vast array of experiences in athletics and continue to be a source of counsel for me as a young athletics director.  They have helped me to develop the skill set that I am now employing for the growth and improvement of KSU athletics.  Along with the individuals who groomed me at Virginia Tech, the people I mentioned and Dr. Sias are paving the road that leads to my future.  That road is inextricably linked with KSU—Onward and Upward!” 

Prior to joining the staff at Eastern in 1999, she worked at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where she held a number of positions, including Director of Student Life and Assistant Athletics Director.  Ratcliffe began as a tutor in 1992 and joined the staff full time in August of 1994.  “The time I spent at Virginia Tech will always be special to me personally and professionally.  The relationships I forged in my 10 years in Blacksburg will last a lifetime.  Derek Carter [Athletics Director at CIAA member, Bowie State University] has been my compass through my first year and a half as a Division II athletics director.  We began working at Virginia Tech within one month of each other back in 1992.  He’s like a big brother now.  He encouraged me to strongly consider this position and continues to cheer me on.”

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from James Madison University in 1989 and her Master of Science degree in clinical psychology from Virginia Tech in 1995.  Ratcliffe is currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation at the University of Kentucky.

A top priority for Ratcliffe is the infrastructure of the athletics program.  She and the staff are engaged in ongoing efforts to ensure that standard operating procedures and policies are written and disseminated to all constituents.  “KSU athletics was strong before I arrived and I just hope to add positively to it while I am in the seat.”