Bio

Ariel Dailey is the Interim Director of Sports Communications at Union Commonwealth University. A native of Versailles, Kentucky, she attended Bourbon County High School for one year before transferring to Woodford County High School, where she graduated in 2017. An accomplished multi-sport athlete, Ariel excelled in softball, basketball, and volleyball, earning varsity letters in softball beginning in the seventh grade.

During her high school softball career, Ariel lettered three years at both Bourbon County and Woodford County. She helped lead both programs to two district championships and two regional runner-up finishes each. Ariel was a five-time All-District selection (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017) and a four-time All-Region honoree (2012, 2013, 2016, 2017). She earned Second Team All-State honors in Class 2A as a freshman and was named to the Kentucky State All-Tournament Team in 2017 after posting a .533 batting average and .800 slugging percentage. That same year, she was selected for the prestigious East-West All-Star Game. Ariel also ranked among Kentucky’s all-time career leaders: 9th in runs (237), 4th in hits (312), 2nd in doubles (98), 14th in home runs (23), and 6th in RBIs (231). She was a three-time Academic All-State Honorable Mention recipient.

Following high school, Ariel began her collegiate softball career at Louisiana Tech University before transferring to Union College (now Union Commonwealth University), where she graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Medicine Communications and Marketing. In addition, she earned a certification in Social Media Marketing.

While at Union, Ariel continued to shine both athletically and academically. Her college career highlights include:

• 2021 Season:

  • Ranked nationally in the NAIA:

    • No. 3 in hits per game (1.70)

    • No. 6 in batting average (.483)

    • No. 7 in on-base percentage (.532)

    • No. 8 in runs scored per game (1.163)

    • No. 9 in doubles per game (0.442)

    • No. 15 in total doubles (19)

  • Honored as AAC Player of the Week (March 8, 2021)

  • Named All-AAC First Team

  • Named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District II NAIA First Team

  • Named CoSIDA Academic All-American NAIA Second Team

• 2020 Season:

  • Named Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete

• 2019 Season:

  • Honored as AAC Player of the Week (February 25, 2019)

  • Named All-AAC Second Team

  • Named to the AAC All-Academic Team

  • Named NFCA All-Region II Second Team

Ariel was Academic All-Conference every year she competed at Union. She holds several program records at Union, including career runs scored (161), career doubles, and total bases (377). She also tied the program’s single-game record for most doubles in a game with three and became just the third Bulldog in school history to earn All-American honors.

Beyond athletics, Ariel was deeply involved in the Union community. She participated in the university’s theatre program and was recognized with the Jane Minton Blair Endowed Award for outstanding contributions to the fine and performing arts. She also received the prestigious Danny Drinkard Award, presented to the student-athlete who best exemplifies sportsmanship, community service, and academic excellence.

Outside of her professional career, Ariel enjoys traveling, attending concerts, and experiencing music festivals.

Updated: 4-28-25