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 Kathy Karlsson Named Associate Head Basketball Coach
June 17, 2005 ORONO, Maine - University of Maine women's basketball coach Ann McInerney announced that Kathy Karlsson has been named associate head coach of the the Black Bears. A graduate of the University of Maine, Karlsson spent the last six seasons as an assistant coach at Merrimack College. "I am thrilled to have Kathy join the coaching staff at the University of Maine," said McInerney. "She was a key to much of our success at Merrimack and has a great enthusiasm for the game. In addition, as a native of Maine and a University of Maine graduate, Kathy knows the strengths and traditions of the Black Bears women's basketball program." In six seasons at Merrimack as the top assistant for McInerney, the Warriors had an overall record of 119-65, including a 60-10 mark in the past two seasons. In the 2002-03 season, Merrimack had a 21-9 record, the first 20+ win season in school history. The team reached the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time in school history and reached the Regional semi-finals. The program continued to excel in the 2003-04 season, posting a 31-4 record, the best in school history. The Warriors finished the season ranked fourth in the nation. The team won the Northeast-10 regular season and tournament titles to advance to the NCAA Division II Tournament. After winning the Northeast Regional, the Warriors won in the Elite Eight to advance to the Final Four. The 2003-2004 team was the first to be recruited entirely by McInerney, Karlsson and the women's basketball staff and was selected to its first ever NCAA Division II Tournament, which posted a 21-9 mark. She has been instrumental in the recruiting efforts which have helped to bring the program into the national spotlight. Last season, Karlsson was promoted to Associate head coach and took on additional responsibilities within the athletic department as the Assistant Atheltic Director/Senior Women's Administrator. She was responsible for overall skill development as well as serving as the recruiting coordinator. Her other duties included practice organization, team travel, and academic advising. Merrimack was ranked fourth in the nation and finished the season with a 29-6 record. The team was Northeast-10 regular season co-champions and advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament. After winning the Northeast Regional and reaching the Elite Eight, the Warriors reached the Final Four for the second consecutive season. Karlsson went to Merrimack after serving as an assistant women's basketball coach at Boston University. While with the Terriers, she assisted with skill enhancement of individual players and taught fundamental and team strategies. Prior to arriving at Boston University, Karlsson served as an assistant women's basketball coach at Brandeis University. A 1991 graduate of the University of Maine, she played three seasons for the Black Bears (1987-1990). Karlsson earned her master's of education degree in human movement/physical education from Boston University in 1992. A native of Auburn, Maine, she played basketball at Edward Little High School.
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