Karen Carty Tapped as First Woman to Lead UVI’s Athletics Department

St. Croix native Karen M. Carty has been named the new director of Athletics at the University of the Virgin Islands — the first woman to head the department in the school’s 61-year history — UVI announced on Monday.

“I am personally excited to have Dr. Carty join the University and lead our Athletics Department. She brings a wealth of experience and an authentic connection to the Virgin Islands, and the University,” said UVI President David Hall. “She is just what we need to expand and improve athletics at UVI. As we join a new conference in the NAIA, Dr. Carty is just the type of leader to take us to the next level of competitiveness.”

Carty, who earned her doctorate in higher education administration from Bradley University in May 2023, is “an award-winning, innovative communications and marketing professional with 19 years of experience in public relations, communications, sports marketing, sports administration, branding, social media management, content creation, event planning, fundraising, and leadership,” according to the press release announcing her appointment.

Carty replaces Jerel Drew, who served as the athletics director for just over two years before announcing his departure in November to take a position with Clark Atlanta University in Georgia. Among his accomplishments was UVI’s membership in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference — made up entirely of historically black colleges and universities that is affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics — beginning with the 2022-23 season. Henville Pole has served as interim director since Drew’s departure.