September 25, 2007

HARVEY NAMED INTERIM HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
COACH AT MONTCLAIR STATE

RETURNS TO MSU FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL COACHING STINT AT DREW

Montclair State has announced the hiring of Karin Harvey as its interim head women’s basketball coach. A former assistant with the Red Hawks for two seasons, Harvey replaces Beth O’Boyle, who accepted an assistant coaching position with Canisius College earlier in September.

Harvey returns to Montclair State following one season as the head coach at Drew University. Harvey led the Rangers to their most successful season in program history with conference and ECAC playoff semifinal appearances. 

"I am grateful for the opportunity to return to Montclair State University and be a part of the athletic department and campus community,” said Harvey. “Montclair State University is truly a special place and I look forward to working with the dedicated student-athletes and continuing the success of the women's basketball program."

Harvey spent two seasons with the Red Hawks including the 2005-06 season, during which Montclair posted an 18-10 overall mark and finished second in the New Jersey Athletic Conference - the best conference finish by an MSU squad since 1999. Montclair also reached the semifinals of the ECAC Division III Metro Tournament. In addition to her coaching duties, Harvey served as the recruiting coordinator, handled all scouting operations, and oversaw community outreach and fundraising efforts. 

In addition to her tenure at Montclair State, Harvey also was the head volleyball coach for two seasons and assisted with the Red Hawks’ women’s lacrosse program in 2006. On the volleyball court, Harvey revitalized the program, turning it into an NJAC contender with the infusion of 13 new players in two years.

“We are excited to find a coach of Karin Harvey's caliber to take over the team for the 2007-08 season,” said MSU Director of Athletics Holly Gera. Coach Harvey was involved in recruiting many of the players on the team when she was an assistant here. Her knowledge and familiarity with the University and Athletic Department will enable us to have a very smooth transition. We are looking forward to the upcoming season."

Prior to Montclair State, Harvey had been successful on the high school and collegiate levels. She spent two years at the Connelly of the Holy Child where she helped the team to a 15-6 mark and its first basketball banner in seven years. In 1997, at Northampton High School, Harvey made Massachusetts state history as she became the first female coach of a boys’ high school team as the assistant varsity and freshman coach.

Harvey spent two seasons at Smith College where she earned her master’s degree in Exercise and Sports Studies in 2000. While at Smith, Harvey was responsible for several aspects of the program, including scouting, recruiting and team administration.  In addition to Harvey’s extensive coaching experience, she was the junior varsity coach for the Deerfield (MI) High School girls’ team and also spent time coaching with her alma mater Aquinas College. She spent two seasons with the women’s team at Aquinas and earned the institution’s Athletic Management Award. Harvey also served as an assistant coach on the Zag USA Team that earned a bronze medal at the Eastern University Games in July, 2005.