Kacy King, executive director of Ohio State’s Student Athlete Support Services Office and a senior associate athletic director, brings deep experience to her role and a steady commitment to helping students grow. Since joining the university in 2021, she’s focused on creating a supportive environment where student-athletes can succeed in the classroom and beyond.
Can you share a bit about your background and how you found your way into this field?
I didn't know this field existed when I left my undergraduate experience. But when I went to graduate school at Michigan State, my advisor suggested a job at Student Athlete Support Services, which completely transformed my career path. I discovered students who needed help, and I felt I could be a person who could help. I believe it's our responsibility to offer all students the support they need to be successful. That’s foundational to my philosophy for working with student-athletes.
I also love sport and athletics as a whole. Growing up in Columbus, I always dreamed of working at Ohio State. My grandparents went here, and my grandfather worked on the stadium as a student in the 1920s, so I feel very connected to Ohio State.
What is your vision for student-athletic support at Ohio State?
My emphasis is on support and making sure every student-athlete knows they have a path to academic success. We want every incoming first-year student and undergraduate transfer to meet one-on-one with a staff member every week for their first term. This helps them build a support network from the moment they get on campus. Typically, 90% of those students don't need us after the first semester — they figure it out. But for those who need continued support, we focus on individual attention and a success model. We also have a degree completion program for those who leave early and want to come back to finish their degree.
What were some key goals this academic year?
We have a goal of all 36 teams maintaining a cumulative GPA above 3.0. We also aim for each team to score above 975 on the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate (APR), which is measured out of 1,000. These are high expectations — and this year, all 36 teams surpassed the 3.0 GPA benchmark, with our department achieving a record-high cumulative GPA of 3.4 for all student-athletes. Additionally, seven programs earned perfect multi-year APR scores, and another 12 posted scores of 990 or higher. Ohio State football is the only Division 1 football team with a perfect multi-year APR.
How do you approach work-life balance?
I focus on harmony, not balance, because work and personal life commitments go up and down constantly. For learning specialists, the first three weeks of school are crucial. For counselors, the end of December and beginning of January are challenging. We prepare and manage everything we can control, constantly refining our internal processes.
What’s your strategy when facing complex decisions or challenges?
I think about transparency and about talking through the why of a decision. Even if people don't agree with me, they can understand my thought process. Communication is key, especially in the ever-changing landscape of college athletics. I constantly communicate with the staff and find different ways to keep everyone informed.
Where do you draw your energy and motivation from, especially during busy times?
I’m part of a running group that is terribly important to me. We run, do races, and challenge ourselves. I still consider myself an athlete, and even as a very slow runner, I love it. This group allows me to be who I need to be. I also love to travel. I absolutely love an adventure. And you wouldn’t believe what I can fit into a trip! My kids, fortunately, are amazing travelers, and I'm lucky to include them in things.
How does your work connect to the broader mission and culture of the university?
My role involves translating between athletics and academics, ensuring both sides understand decisions and policies. This dual reporting line allows me to be in both spaces and helps bridge the gap between athletics and the broader university community.
Ohio State athletics succeeds because of strong support from the administration and coaches. It’s clear that the coaches expect the academic piece to be handled and they support us, which is huge. I think about the culture of excellence, our incredible Ohio State traditions and its supportive people every day. Even on rough days, there’s always something good happening around you.