INDIANAPOLIS --- Karen Morrison, most recently associate athletics director and senior woman administrator at the University of Colorado, Boulder, has accepted a position on the NCAA staff as director of gender initiatives and student-athlete well-being. Morrison will assume her new duties September 25 at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis.

In her new position, Morrison will report to Ron Stratten, vice president for education services, and oversee six administrators and five support staff.

"I'm looking forward to working with Karen and having her on board at the national office,” Stratten said. “Her leadership experience will be beneficial as she fills the role of educating the membership, national office and public on gender issues, Title IX, leadership, health and safety and student-athlete development and well-being."

"Karen brings a wealth of knowledge not only from her work at a university, but through her service on several conference and NCAA committees,” said NCAA President Myles Brand. “Her stong commitment to Title IX and student-athlete well-being will serve the NCAA well.”

Morrison worked at the University of Colorado, Boulder, since June 1989, when she took a position as a kinesiology instructor. She served as women’s basketball assistant coach from 1990 to 1996; assistant compliance coordinator from 1996 to 1997; and moved into the position of associate athletics director and SWA in 1997. Before that, she was an attorney with Frey, Lach & Michaels, P.C., in Fort Collins, Colorado.

"I am thrilled to be joining the NCAA staff and directing our educational efforts on gender and student-athlete issues,” Morrison said. “I'm one of those ‘Title IX babies’ who had the opportunity to compete in college and pursue a career in collegiate athletics because Title IX opened doors that had previously been closed to women. I'm looking forward to working with the national office staff and leaders in the membership to further the opportunities for women in athletics and to improve the collegiate experience of all our student-athletes.”

As associate athletics director and SWA, Morrison managed men’s and women’s skiing, men’s golf, women’s golf, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country/track and field and soccer. She was also responsible for compliance and financial aid; policy development and education; Title IX compliance; tracking NCAA legislation and NCAA certification. She served as representative to the Big XII Conference and the NCAA; Academic Policy Board for Athletics and Chancellor’s Compliance Committee.

She has served on numerous committees at the institution, conference and NCAA levels. NCAA committees include Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet (1999-03); Legislative Review and Interpretations Subcommittee (1999-03); A/E/C Cabinet liaison to the NCAA Financial Aid Committee (2000-03); Division I Women’s Basketball Committee (2000-05); liaison to the Women’s Basketball Issues Committee (2003-05).

Morrison earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School; and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma.

She is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics; National Association of Collegiate Women’s Athletics Administrators; Women’s Sports Foundation; and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. She participated in the University of Colorado, Boulder, Fellows Program in 1996-97 and served on the Wade Trophy Committee from 1998-00.