Troy University Athletics
Basketball (W)
Kayla Ard
- Title:
- Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coordinator
- Email:
- ardk@troy.edu
- Phone:
- 5717
Kayla Ard comes to Troy as an assistant coach after filling the same role at Pensacola State College for two seasons. Both of Ard’s seasons at Pensacola State came with current Troy head coach Chanda Rigby at the helm, and both ended in the trips to National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Final Four.
In 2010-11, Ard helped the Pirates to an undefeated (32-0) regular season that included 20 consecutive weeks at No.1 in the national polls. The Pirates followed that up in 2011-12 with the first back-to-back state titles and Final Four appearances in school history.
Ard served as the Pirates recruiting coordinator in both seasons, signing three eventual WBCA All-Americans while her players earned a total of 13 All-Panhandle Conference selections. Each team finished in the nation’s top 10 in scoring while multiple players moved on to Division I scholarships in the Big East, SEC, Pac-12, Sun Belt and Colonial Athletic conferences.
A native of Hammond, La., Ard was highly recruited out of Loranger High School after averaging over 26.0 points a game, achieving All-District three consecutive years and leading her team to three final four appearances, including a State Championship in 2000 under the direction of Rigby.
Ard’s collegiate career began on the junior college level at Chipola Junior College. After playing one season there, she transferred to Southeastern Louisiana where she played from 2004 to 2006, including an All-Southland Conference selection in 2005.
She began her coaching career with AAU powerhouse Domino’s Basketball out of New Orleans, La., where she was an assistant coach for three seasons, including a seventh place finish in the National Tournament.
Ard spent one season as a coach at Hammond High School in Louisiana and one summer as the head coach of the Hammond Tornadoes AAU organization.
After coaching in Hammond, La., Ard was chosen to perform the lead role in a national Gatorade Commercial, titled “Toll”, as an all-star basketball player, which aired from 2008-2009.
Ard earned her Bachelor’s degree in General Studies from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2006 with concentrations in applied behavioral science and psychology. She is also on track to receive her Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Pheonix in December 2012.
The Kayla Ard File:
Hometown - Hammond, La.
High School - Loranger High School (LA), 2002
College - Southeastern Louisiana University (General Studies), 2006
College Athletics - Chipola Junior College women’s basketball (2002-03)
Southeastern Louisiana University women’s basketball (2004-06)
Coaching Experience - AAU Domino’s Basketball (LA), Assistant Coach (2003-05)
Hammond High School (LA), Assistant Coach (2005-06)
AAU Hammond Hurricanes (LA), Head Coach (2007)
Pensacola State College, Assistant Coach (2010-12)
In 2010-11, Ard helped the Pirates to an undefeated (32-0) regular season that included 20 consecutive weeks at No.1 in the national polls. The Pirates followed that up in 2011-12 with the first back-to-back state titles and Final Four appearances in school history.
Ard served as the Pirates recruiting coordinator in both seasons, signing three eventual WBCA All-Americans while her players earned a total of 13 All-Panhandle Conference selections. Each team finished in the nation’s top 10 in scoring while multiple players moved on to Division I scholarships in the Big East, SEC, Pac-12, Sun Belt and Colonial Athletic conferences.
A native of Hammond, La., Ard was highly recruited out of Loranger High School after averaging over 26.0 points a game, achieving All-District three consecutive years and leading her team to three final four appearances, including a State Championship in 2000 under the direction of Rigby.
Ard’s collegiate career began on the junior college level at Chipola Junior College. After playing one season there, she transferred to Southeastern Louisiana where she played from 2004 to 2006, including an All-Southland Conference selection in 2005.
She began her coaching career with AAU powerhouse Domino’s Basketball out of New Orleans, La., where she was an assistant coach for three seasons, including a seventh place finish in the National Tournament.
Ard spent one season as a coach at Hammond High School in Louisiana and one summer as the head coach of the Hammond Tornadoes AAU organization.
After coaching in Hammond, La., Ard was chosen to perform the lead role in a national Gatorade Commercial, titled “Toll”, as an all-star basketball player, which aired from 2008-2009.
Ard earned her Bachelor’s degree in General Studies from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2006 with concentrations in applied behavioral science and psychology. She is also on track to receive her Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Pheonix in December 2012.
The Kayla Ard File:
Hometown - Hammond, La.
High School - Loranger High School (LA), 2002
College - Southeastern Louisiana University (General Studies), 2006
College Athletics - Chipola Junior College women’s basketball (2002-03)
Southeastern Louisiana University women’s basketball (2004-06)
Coaching Experience - AAU Domino’s Basketball (LA), Assistant Coach (2003-05)
Hammond High School (LA), Assistant Coach (2005-06)
AAU Hammond Hurricanes (LA), Head Coach (2007)
Pensacola State College, Assistant Coach (2010-12)
Ashley Beverly Kelley - Troy University Sports Hall of Fame
Monday, April 28
Underdogs Untold: Title Ticket Punched
Friday, April 04
Chanda Rigby WNIT Championship Press Conference
Friday, April 04
Chanda Rigby Postgame Press Conference - Illinois State
Thursday, April 03
