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TSYS School Student-Athlete Layla Albright Named to Girls in the Game Class of 2026

Entering its 11th year of celebrating the athletic and academic success of its female student-athletes, the CSU Department of Athletics recently announced its Girls in the Game Class of 2026. The program recognizes a female student-athlete from each of CSU's eight NCAA Division II women's sports teams. All honorees receive a one-year academic scholarship and a specially designed Girls in the Game medallion. This year's class includes Layla Albright (pictured above, fourth from left), a sophomore cross country athlete from Columbus majoring in cybersecurity. "We are incredibly impressed by the dedication and resilience shown by the student-athletes chosen to represent our teams this year," said Director of Athletics Justin Hay. "These young women exemplify the core values and leadership qualities of the Girls in the Game program and Columbus State University. They demonstrate excellence not only in competition on the field and court, but also in their academic achievements and their meaningful contributions to the community." The Class of 2026 will be recognized at the 11th Annual Girls in the Game Luncheon on Thursday, October 1, at the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center on the university's main campus. Former NFL cheerleader Shannon McKain will be the keynote speaker. Shannon McKain is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, corporate coach, and ultra-endurance athlete whose work centers on mental resilience, leadership under pressure, and sustainable performance. With a professional background spanning human resources, leadership development, NFL Cheerleading, and lived experience competing at the highest levels of endurance sport, McKain understands both the cost of burnout and the power of rallying together when it matters most. Her signature framework, Rally Mentality™, was born on the Missouri River during a 340-mile ultra-endurance race completed in just 58 hours, without sleep. In that extreme environment, Shannon experienced firsthand the realities of mental fatigue, stress, self-doubt, and the critical role of team support. That race revealed a simple but powerful truth: resilience is not about going at it alone; it is about learning how to rally; within yourself and with others. Following the luncheon, McKain will host a free cheerleading clinic at the university's Student Rec Center. The clinic is presented by Columbus Coca-Cola. Tickets for the 11th Annual Girls in the Game Luncheon will go on sale in the coming weeks. Registration for the clinic will open at the same time.
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