Lynn University appointed Kathy Kroupa as the university's eighth athletic director. Most recently, Kroupa served as interim athletic director for the university for the past seven months. She worked as Lynn's deputy athletic director and senior woman administrator (SWA) for nearly two years.
Kroupa brings over 30 years of experience as a student-athlete, coach and administrator. Kroupa now oversees a department with 19 NCAA Division II sports and 40 staff members. This fall, under her supervision, four Fighting Knights teams earned a spot in their respective NCAA tournaments, while the women's volleyball team advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in the 27-year history of the program.
"I want to thank President Ross for his support and I am honored for this opportunity to lead an amazing group of coaches, staff and student-athletes," said Kroupa. "Lynn athletics has a rich history and I am excited for the opportunity to expand and build upon our successes. Lynn is an incredible institution and I look forward to our continued collaboration with our entire campus community."
Before Lynn, Kroupa spent six years as the senior associate athletic director and SWA at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. While there, she was part of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Council, the Presidential Task Force for Diversity and Inclusion, the Enrollment Management Council and the Leadership Development Council. She served Susquehanna University as a head softball coach for 13 seasons, where she and her staff earned Landmark Conference Coaching Staff of the Year six times and helped bring the program's first Landmark Conference title in 2013. Kroupa went on to lead Susquehanna University as assistant athletic director and SWA.
"Kathy gives our athletics department and student-athletes the best opportunity to inspire and succeed," said President Kevin M. Ross. "Her vision and strategic direction as an athletic director will pay dividends for high-level coaching and training implementation as she continues to lead and build strong relationships with Lynn's community, parents and student-athletes."
Kroupa is an NCAA Division II women's soccer committee member and is part of the Board of Directors for Chi Alpha Sigma, also known as the National College Athlete Honor Society. Kroupa is a 2015 graduate of the NCAA Pathways program, and a 2012 graduate of the Women in College Sports Administrative Advancement Institute; she completed the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from University of South Florida's Corporate and Professional Education in 2021 and acquired Title IX Compliance and Athletics training from the Association of Title IX Administration.
A native of Weston, Connecticut, Kroupa is a member of the Gettysburg College Hall of Honor and was a four-year letter winner in women's soccer and softball. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Gettysburg in 1995, completed her master's degree in psychology from Radford in 1998 and earned a graduate certificate in student affairs at The Citadel in 2017.
