Ashley Smeltzer-Kraft was announced as the new Director of Athletics at Drew University on August 17, 2026.
"I'm honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve Drew University as Director of Athletics and to fulfill my calling to serve others and contribute to a strong, vibrant community," said Smeltzer-Kraft. "I'm deeply committed to supporting our student-athletes, coaches, faculty, and staff, while also being a steward of the broader Drew community."
Smeltzer-Kraft has spent the last 14 years at Shenandoah University, and currently serves as Associate Athletic Director, overseeing 600 student-athletes over 23 programs, and head field hockey coach, which she has built into a perennial powerhouse and multiple-time champion. She holds a BS in kinesiology from Michigan State University, where she also played field hockey, and an MS in Human Development from the University of Rochester.
Smeltzer-Kraft will begin her tenure at Drew in November 2026 following the completion of her 14th season leading Shenandoah field hockey.
"We are thrilled to welcome Ashley to the Drew family," said President Hilary L. Link, PhD. "Her deep commitment to student-athlete success, combined with her ability to navigate the many complexities within an athletics department, made her an ideal candidate to drive our Rangers program's strategic goals forward."
"Ashley has established a reputation as an exceptional, high-integrity leader who excels at bridging the gap between athletics and academics," added Frank Merckx, Vice President of Campus Life, which encompasses Drew's Athletics Department. "She has led successes both on the sidelines and in her administrative leadership role at Shenandoah, and we are excited to make her a Ranger."
Throughout her athletics career, Smeltzer-Kraft has held leadership roles within Title IX and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and engaged in numerous fundraising, service, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs and initiatives.
Smeltzer-Kraft will take over a Drew Rangers program that has expanded in recent years.
The athletics program now includes 25 varsity sports, having added men's and women's golf, men's and women's volleyball, and men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field in the last several years.
The program has also implemented an athlete-only weight room, created the school's first-ever strength and conditioning coordinator position, and seen significant renovations at Doc Young Field at Lonnstrom Stadium, the Drew Softball Complex, Ranger Stadium, the Drew Tennis Complex.
Smeltzer-Kraft will join Drew with familiarity. She is married to Drew Athletics Hall of Famer Melissa Smeltzer-Kraft C'07. The couple have two children, Welles and Warner.
"I look forward to taking on this opportunity with gratitude, humility, and purpose," said Smeltzer-Kraft. "I can't wait to start working alongside the incredible people at Drew to build on the momentum already underway and continue propelling the University forward in an exciting direction."
