Maryville University director of athletics
Marcus Manning announced that
Kristen Ely has been named as assistant director of athletics for student services and compliance. In addition, she will serve as the athletics department’s senior women’s administrator. Ely will begin her Maryville duties Monday, Nov. 19.
“In Kristen, we have identified a person who is the right fit for our athletics department and our campus community,” Manning said. “She will provide tremendous leadership to our staff, coaches and most importantly, our student-athletes. Kristen will be a game-changer for us, and we are extremely excited that she is joining the Saints family.”
“I am looking forward to becoming a part of the campus community and am committed to the success of not only its students but its faculty and staff, as well,” Ely said. “Everyone I have met at Maryville throughout this process has been welcoming and supportive. I am honored to join an amazing athletic staff and cannot wait to officially be a part of the Maryville family. Go Saints!”
Ely comes to Maryville from Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., where she served as women's volleyball coach and assistant athletics director. She has worked for the Bluejays since 2006. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Ely was Westminster’s SWA and served in student life as a member of the student response team. She was named assistant athletics director in 2010.
In her seven years as Westminster volleyball coach, Ely posted 71 victories. Inheriting a team that had gone winless during the 2005 season, she eventually helped Westminster to a double-digit victory total in 2009. This past season, the Bluejays posted their first winning campaign since 2003 with a 16-15 mark. In addition to restoring the Westminster volleyball program’s success on the court, Ely had three teams honored with the SLIAC Sportsmanship Award.
Prior to becoming the head coach at Westminster, Ely served as assistant volleyball coach and junior varsity volleyball coach at Elmira (N.Y.) College for two years, guiding the junior varsity team to its first-ever winning season. She also has head coaching experience on the high school and club level. Ely played collegiate volleyball at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, and was co-captain of her college team and an Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association All-Academic Team selection.
A 2004 graduate of St. Lawrence (N.Y.), Ely earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with a minor in sports and exercise science. She earned her Master of Science degree in education at Elmira College.
Maryville University is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
