Monday, September 27, 2010

Kelly Mehrtens announced today that she has resigned as Director of Athletics at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, effective immediately.

In announcing her resignation, Mehrtens stressed that stepping down was her decision, and that the decision was made based on the best interests of UNCW, its athletic programs, its coaches and student athletes.

"Thank you and all the best to the Seahawk family," Mehrtens said. "I want to thank our student athletes; you have been a daily inspiration to me. I wish you all continued success."

Mehrtens joined UNCW in August 2007 following an extensive national search. She was previously Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Women's Administrator at the University of Kansas.

Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo thanked Mehrtens for her contributions to UNCW's athletics programs and wished her well in her future endeavors.

"I know this decision was a difficult one for you," DePaolo told Mehrtens, "but I want you to know how appreciative I am – we are – of your enthusiastic commitment to UNCW athletics. Although your tenure has been brief, you and your staff have made some significant accomplishments."

Mehrtens accomplishments include:
• hiring several strong coaches;
• ensuring that UNCW student athletes maintained outstanding GPAs, resulting in one of the best graduation rates among schools in both North Carolina and the Colonial Athletic Association;
• winning several conference championships – the men's golf team returning to the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2005, the first-ever CAA championship for men's soccer, women's soccer and men's tennis, the seventh consecutive year for the women's cross country team to be designated as a U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Academic All-American Team and the ninth consecutive CAA title for the men's swimming and diving team;
• the women's golf team Public Recognition Award from the NCAA's Academic Performance Program for placing in the top 10 percent among teams nationally for academic work;
• all of UNCW's 19 intercollegiate teams finishing above the multi-year score of 925 in the NCAA's annual APR Report; and
• laying the groundwork for an Athletics Strategic Plan.

DePaolo noted that UNCW athletics will continue to build on these successes going forward and that an interim athletic director will be named in the near future.