Former KSU athlete and All-MAC honoree returns as director of basketball operations

Gianna Cicchi, Reporter|July 22, 2022

Paige Salisbury returned to Kent State University as director of basketball operations in May 2022 after being on the coaching staff of Lake Erie College for three seasons.

Paige Salisbury was named director of basketball operations in May 2022. (Courtesy of Kent State Athletics)

“Coming back to Kent feels like I never left,” Salisbury said. “I got to play with Alexa Golden for two years, and she was one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. She values competition, playing the right way, and winning, just like the rest of the staff. I am so glad I’m able to be a part of a program like this one.”

Golden is an assistant coach for the team and came in with Salisbury as freshmen, coach Todd Starkey said.

“I think it was a neat thing to bring those two back together as they have remained friends,” he said.

​​Salisbury played for the Kent State University women’s basketball team during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. Salisbury was a member of Starkey’s first team to win a Mid-American Conference East Division championship and earned a WNIT appearance in 2017,  according to Kent State Athletics. Salisbury was an Academic All-MAC honoree in 2017, then transferred to Ursuline College. There she led the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in assist-to-turnover ratio in back-to-back-seasons.

“I’m extremely grateful that Coach Starkey has given me the opportunity to work here,” Salisbury said. “He’s a great mentor and leader, so I am learning every day. The culture that he has built here is one I am proud to say I’m a part of.”

There were a lot of qualified candidates for the position of director of basketball operations, Starkey said.

“Nobody had the combination of experience and familiarity that I had with her, so that’s what made it an easy decision to bring her back,” he said.

Salisbury said her goal is to learn as much as possible from the people around her.

“This staff is very knowledgeable and has a lot of experience in college coaching,” Salisbury said. “Like Coach Starkey always says, ‘the goal is a MAC championship every year.’ I’d love to get another ring or two!”

Gianna Cicchi is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].