Cochran, GA – The Middle Georgia State University Athletic Department is adding a new face to their administrative team with the hire of Kaasha Thayer as announced by Director of Athletics, Michael Brown. Thayer began her tenure on Monday, July 8^th in the newly created position of Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Services. Thayer will also serve the department as Senior Woman Administrator (SWA).

Thayer's position fills a critical role for the Knights as she will assist in the Universities upcoming transition from membership within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic (NAIA) to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kaasha to join our team and help guide our efforts with Compliance and supporting the academic success of our 175+ student-athletes. Her experience as a NCAA Division II administrator, coach and student-athlete combined with her passion for students and their overall well-being made her a great fit for what we were looking for in this important new position," said Brown.

Thayer joins MGA after spending time on staff at Barry University, located in Miami Shores, Florida. She most recently served as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Services for the Buccaneers who compete within the Sunshine State Conference and have earned 28 NCAA national championships.

Prior to her most recent role at Barry, Thayer spent two years in the department of Mission & Student Engagement before moving to Athletics full-time. Before her time at Barry, she served three years as an assistant volleyball coach at Newberry College (Newberry, S.C.) from 2018-20.

"I would like to thank AD Michael Brown and MGA for this incredible opportunity. I am excited to join MGA at such a momentous time as the transition from NAIA to NCAA DII begins. I look forward to contributing to the success of our student-athletes and making their time here a memorable one."
 
Kaasha graduated from UNC-Pembroke in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science where she was a member of the volleyball team and received her Masters of Science from Barry University in Leadership and Innovation in 2023. A native of Garner, North Carolina, she played at Garner Magnet High School where she was a four-time all-conference and all-academic selection. Kaasha is married to husband, Tyler Thayer.