ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – A new leader has been hired to take over the College of Saint Benedict athletic department in 2021-22, and she comes to the department with plenty of experience in both the MIAC and Division III.
 
Kelly Anderson Diercks has been hired to take over as CSB's athletic director, Mary Geller – CSB's Vice President for Student Development – announced Thursday afternoon. Diercks – who is currently an Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Augsburg – was chosen for her vision for the department, her experience in an athletic administration role and her knowledge of the value of women's athletics.
 
"I am tremendously pleased that Kelly Anderson Diercks will be our new Athletic Director," Geller said. "Kelly comes with a strong background and experience in Division III and the MIAC. As SWA at Augsburg, she has demonstrated strong leadership skills in leading a successful athletic program, and she can articulate and execute the value proposition for women in sport. Kelly presented a strong and convincing vision for the exciting future of the Saint Ben's athletic department, as well as her ability to take us there.
 
"Kelly leads with a focus on the student-athlete, believes in developing her coaches to their highest potential and understands how to build a championship culture. The support for her candidacy was unanimous by all those involved in the search. We are thrilled to welcome Kelly Anderson Diercks to the CSB community."
 
Diercks joins the CSB athletic department after 13 years at Augsburg, where she oversees the sports information department and human resources and serves as the deputy Title IX officer for athletics. While at Augsburg she served as a key member of committees, facilitated and managed halftime promotions for corporate sponsors, assisted with facility improvements at Augsburg's Si Melby Hall and the Augsburg Ice Arena and served as event management for numerous MIAC and NCAA championships.
 
Diercks is responsible for compliance and eligibility for Augsburg's 22 varsity sports programs and more than 450 student-athletes. She manages five sport programs and worked with the athletic director to develop a five-year staffing plan, leading to an increase of eight FTE and 10 graduate assistant coaches. She also played a key role in establishing women's lacrosse as a varsity sport at Augsburg.
 
"I am extremely excited and honored to be the next athletic director at the College of Saint Benedict," Diercks said. "My passion to continue to promote and advocate for opportunities for women in college athletics, in combination with the outstanding academic program of Saint Ben's, and the incredible people on campus, made this opportunity a perfect fit.
 
"I want to thank Mary Geller and (CSB Interim President Laurie) Hamen for this incredible opportunity to build on a really strong foundation and create a championship athletic program and experience for our student-athletes, staff, faculty, alumnae and supporters."
 
Diercks is also currently the Midwest Lacrosse Conference/Midwest Women's Lacrosse Conference Commissioner. She oversees conference office operations for a six-team men's league and an eight-team women's league.
 
Prior to her role at Augsburg, Diercks served as the Assistant Director at the MIAC where she led the 25^th Anniversary of Women's Athletics Committee and served as part of an event management team for MIAC Championships from 2006-08. She is a member of Women Leaders in College Sports, the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators, and the College Sports Information Directors of America.
 
Diercks and her husband, Matt, have three children. Her anticipated start date at Saint Benedict is July 1.
 
"Athletics is an essential part of the College of Saint Benedict campus culture," Hamen said. "We are thrilled to have someone of Kelly Anderson Diercks' caliber and experience leading our dynamic athletic department. She has a tremendous vision for developing the type of student-athlete and coach leadership that leads to a championship culture. Our staff, student-athletes and entire campus community are enthused about Kelly's arrival."