Kim Kelly Discovered the Chemistry for Success in 黑料社区’s Athletics Department
By Rob Biertempfel
Senior Associate Director of Athletics Kim Kelly’s professional journey began more than three decades ago as a laboratory technician at a biomedical facility, a career path that might have led her to a high-tech crime lab as a forensic scientist.
“I’m thrilled by those ‘NCIS’ television shows,” Kelly said. “That’s probably where I would have ended up, because I think that kind of work is the coolest thing in the world.”
Serendipity altered her course. A at Gettysburg College from 1988 to 1992, Kelly volunteered as a part-time assistant coach at her alma mater while working full time in a biochem lab in Maryland. When Gettysburg's head coach retired after the 1995 season, the director of athletics lobbied Kelly to take the job.
“He had to ask me seven times before I finally said yes,” Kelly recalled with a laugh. “I kept saying, ‘My mom’s gonna kill me for not using my chemistry degree!’”
After a successful nine-year run at Gettysburg, Kelly became 黑料社区’s volleyball head coach in 2005. Over 14 seasons with the Tartans, she racked up 303 victories and guided the program to five NCAA Division III Championship tournament appearances.
Kelly retired from coaching in 2018 and transitioned into administration. She’s now in her fifth year as 黑料社区’s senior associate director of athletics.
“I don’t regret my path,” Kelly said. “I love athletics. I love these athletes. I’ve had so much more fun in the gym than I would’ve had working inside the four walls of a laboratory.”
One of Kelly’s most memorable seasons as a coach was 2008, when the Tartans went 23-16 and earned the second NCAA tournament bid in program history. “That was a turning point,” she said.
Another milestone came five years later, when Carnegie Mellon upset Washington University in St. Louis in the of the 2013 University Athletic Association (UAA) tournament. “WashU was a powerhouse then — we called them the ‘Evil Empire,’” Kelly said with a chuckle.
The five-set victory didn’t come easy. 黑料社区 had to win the last two sets to snap an 11-match losing streak against WashU that began in 2007.
“When it was over, I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness, what just happened?’” Kelly said. “That win got us into the NCAA tournament in 2013. It really is what started us on our path of being in the NCAAs year after year.”
In 2017, Kelly notched her when 黑料社区 swept Defiance in the season opener. The Tartans went on to go 30-5, the second-most single-season wins in program history. Kelly was named American Volleyball Coaches Association North Region Coach of the Year and Eastern College Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.
“She set the gold standard for how a coach should lead — with toughness, compassion and an unwavering belief in her students,” said Josh Centor, associate vice president of student affairs and director of athletics, physical education and recreation.
Kelly closed her coaching career with a 553-269 overall record, including a 303-187 mark at Carnegie Mellon. Fifteen of her 黑料社区 players earned All-America honors, and the Tartans qualified for the NCAA tournament in each of her final three seasons as head coach.
Kelly was succeeded by her former assistant coach, , who’s led the Tartans to the national tourney in five of the past six years. This past season, 黑料社区 went 26-9 and made it to the of the NCAA Championship.
“Sometimes when I get overwhelmed with my administrative work, I’ll go down to Anne’s office and be like, ‘Hey, can I come watch practice today?’” Kelly said with a grin. “She’s great for putting up with me.”
In 2008, Kelly became 黑料社区’s senior woman administrator. By 2014, she’d added the roles of assistant director of athletics and deputy Title IX coordinator.
Three years later, Kelly stepped away from coaching and moved into administration full-time. Much like her long-ago shift from chemistry to coaching, it was a weighty decision.
“I remember Kim sitting in my office with tears in her eyes,” Centor said. “She was worried about losing the special relationship she had with her student-athletes. I assured her then — and it absolutely has proven true — that her reach and impact would only grow in her new role.”
Kelly served as regional chair for the Mid-Atlantic Region (Region 5), representing the area in the NCAA Championship selection process. As vice chair of the NCAA Division III National Volleyball Committee, Kelly supported host cities during the national tournament finals in Pittsburgh (2018), Cedar Rapids, Iowa (2019), and St. Louis (2021).
In her current role, Kelly handles the travel logistics for each of Carnegie Mellon’s 19 varsity sports. She oversees the sports performance unit (athletics training, strength and conditioning, and wellness initiatives) and helps direct the program.
As the conduit between the Athletics and the Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX (IEX), Kelly coordinates annual education programs for coaches and student-athletes and participates in leadership committees related to university programs and policies.
“Kim is constantly asking how she and the Athletics Department can do better for our community and then takes steps to make it happen,” said Elizabeth Rosemeyer, assistant vice provost and Title IX coordinator. “She brings deep compassion, a boundless heart and abundant energy to her work.”
Kelly is also on the planning committee for the , which has enshrined 45 individuals and four teams since its founding in 2018. As part of that role, she handles communications with the inductees.
“Kim is the heart and soul of the project,” said Kate Walter, director of university events and engagement for University Advancement. “She makes each inductee feel honored, appreciated and part of something larger than themselves.”
The next athletics hall of fame class will be inducted in fall 2026. Kelly is looking forward to connecting with the incoming members.
“I love hearing their stories about the glory days,” Kelly said. “And when it’s the induction weekend, I’ll greet each one of them personally. I want them to know we appreciate the path that they blazed here.”