FERRUM, Virginia -- Director of Athletics Cleive Adams has announced that of Karen Harvey has accepted a new role within the Athletics Department as Assistant Sports Information Director and Assistant Compliance Director. Harvey has served the College the past 18 years as head women's lacrosse coach.

In her 18 seasons at the helm of the Ferrum women's lacrosse program, Harvey has a 138-127 coaching record, for a .521 winning percentage, and has had a combined 46 players earn All-Conference honors in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and USA South Athletic Conference.

"I'm excited about Coach Harvey's transition into administration and leadership within the athletics department," said Adams. "Karen brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience as a coach, and an administrator that will be extremely beneficial to our department as we move forward with our journey towards becoming a full member of NCAA Division II."

Harvey has spent the past year serving as Assistant Compliance Officer. In this role she handled tracer forms, hardship waivers, communication with compliance directors at other institutions, NCAA waiver applications, managing activity within Front Rush software and archiving Ferrum's compliance files.

Harvey previously served as Head Women's Basketball Coach and Physical Education Instructor at Hollins University Harvey From 1995 to 2005. She also served nine years as Sports Information Director at Hollins from 1997-2006. Prior to Hollins, Harvey served as Assistant Girls Basketball Coach at William Byrd High School and Head Girls JV Coach at Patrick Henry High School, both from 1994-95. She also served as a Biology and Chemistry Teacher at Staunton River High School from 1993-94, and Head Athletic Trainer at Radford High School from 1992-93.

"I have loved coaching lacrosse the past 18 years," said Harvey. "It has brought challenges, joys, laughter and tears. I have met some of the best people through coaching this sport. The current players and the alumni will always hold a special place in my heart. I am thankful to Ferrum for the opportunity I was given then and now. It is bittersweet to hang up the whistle but I am looking forward to this next chapter.

Harvey holds professional memberships with US Lacrosse, and the International Womens Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA). She received her bachelor's degree in physical education from Roanoke College in 1991. She then earned her master's degree in exercise science from Virginia Tech in 1993.

Harvey begins her new role immediately and will assist in the process of hiring a new head women's lacrosse coach. She will also serve as interim head coach until the position has been filled.