Year One at Rutgers
7/30/2026
Dear Rutgers Nation,
One year ago today, I proudly stood before you for the first time as your Director of Athletics. Standing behind a podium bearing the Block R during my introductory press conference, I shared with you a vision for what I believed Rutgers Athletics could become.
At that moment, my confidence wasn't rooted in experience at Rutgers. It was rooted in belief.
The belief that Rutgers had the capability to compete at the highest level. The belief that our student-athletes deserved every opportunity to succeed. The belief that our fans deserved programs they could proudly rally behind. And the belief that with the right people working together, the right resources, and with an unwavering commitment to excellence, Rutgers could achieve extraordinary things.
Over my first year, that belief has only become stronger.
Today, our confidence is no longer found in vision alone. It is supported by meaningful progress, tangible momentum, and a community that has rallied behind Rutgers in remarkable ways.
A year ago, I said to you that we would recruit and retain elite talent because championships begin with exceptional student-athletes. I shared that developing meaningful partnerships and revenue streams would be critical to our success and I believe we have fundamentally changed our trajectory by doing just that. These partnerships have opened doors that simply did not exist a year ago and have strengthened our ability to attract and retain championship-caliber talent. Moving into the new academic year, we will add an eight-figure investment into our student-athletes through name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities. And because of your generosity on a record-setting Giving Day, we will increase our scholarship support to help close the gap with our Big Ten peers to better position our programs to compete in this extraordinary league.
Athletics would support the academic mission of our university was a core belief that I shared one year ago. I am thrilled that our student-athletes achieved the highest cumulative grade point average in department history this past academic year, posting a 3.423 cumulative GPA. One hundred and seventy-nine student-athletes graduated as members of the Class of 2026. While success in competition will always matter, preparing our student-athletes for meaningful lives after graduation remains one of our greatest responsibilities and will always be our number one priority.
One year ago, I noted that Rutgers Athletics would make a positive impact in our communities. Our student-athletes and staff have served throughout New Jersey with humility and purpose. I was incredibly proud in June when Rutgers Athletics was recognized with the 2026 Fiesta Bowl Community Service Award. Our student-athletes spent more than 2,000 hours this past year serving our communities, a commitment that reflects who we aspire to be, not only as competitors, but as ambassadors for our university and our state.
In addition to belief, I stood before you one year ago with clear intent. The intention to not just compete, but to win. Winning remains our expectation, and I won't pretend we're where we want to be. We know our overall competitive results must improve, and we're working every day to get there.
I do believe our programs are moving in the right direction and we saw proof of that this past year. Wrestling recorded the best regular-season Big Ten finish in school history. Gymnastics achieved its highest final national ranking ever and advanced to the NCAA Regionals for a second straight year. Our women's lacrosse program returned to the NCAA Tournament and advanced with a first-round victory over Princeton. Rowing qualified for its seventh consecutive NCAA Championship and finished runner-up in the Big Ten. Men's golf posted the highest conference finish in program history, while track & field qualified a school-record 28 Scarlet Knights for the NCAA East First Round. Those achievements matter. They demonstrate that our foundation is strengthening and our expectations are rising.
As I conclude my first year On the Banks, there’s something I will always remember that doesn’t appear on a balance sheet or in a standings report. It won’t ever make the record books, but I am so deeply grateful for it.
Over the past twelve months, I have had the privilege of meeting thousands of Scarlet Knights. Season ticket holders who have stood by Rutgers through every season, alumni whose pride for this university is contagious, generous donors and corporate partners investing in our future, students who bring incredible energy to our venues, and families who proudly wear scarlet.
You welcomed me and Nate with kindness, encouragement, honesty, excitement, and a sincere belief in what Rutgers can become. Your passion inspires us every single day and it reminds us why we work so hard to elevate this department.
While we've made meaningful progress, we recognize that our work is far from complete. Building a championship mentality isn't measured in months. It requires discipline, resilience, consistency, and an unwavering focus on improvement every single day.
As I begin my second year at Rutgers, my commitment to you is exactly what it was on my first day.
We will continue to pursue championships.
We will continue to invest in our student-athletes.
We will continue to support the academic mission of this great university.
We will continue to serve New Jersey with immense gratitude.
And we will continue doing everything within our power to make Rutgers Athletics a source of pride for every Scarlet Knight.
One year ago, I asked you to believe in our vision.
Today, I simply want to say thank you for believing in it with me.
Go RU!
Keli
