La Crosse, Wis. - One of the country's winningest intercollegiate athletic programs has a new leader.  Kim Blum has been named director of athletics at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  Blum had served as the university's interim director of athletics since July 2014.

Blum is in her 11th year at UW-La Crosse, previously serving as deputy director of athletics in 2013-14.  Prior to that, she was associate athletic director from 2004-13. 

"I've been a part of this program for 11 years," said Blum.  "I understand how truly talented those within our program are.  I see day in and day out how committed our coaches and staff are to building champions and how committed our student-athletes are to being champions.  And I hope it is apparent how deeply invested I am in this university and in particular, this athletics program.

"I will never take for granted what an incredible honor has been bestowed upon me," added Blum.  "I recognize what a truly extraordinary privilege it is to become the next UW-La Crosse Director of Athletics."  

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Dr. Paula Knudson, who made the announcement of the appointment Wednesday, says Blum brings a rich history as a coach and administrator.  "She has proven to be knowledgeable, hard-working, and incredibly committed to UW-La Crosse student-athletes and our athletics program," said Knudson.  "Kim bleeds maroon and gray and I watch her get excited when she tells a story about our student-athletes and our programs impact in the community," added Knudson.  "This is Kim's time to step into an important leadership role for our programs and I am very confident in her leadership capacity."

As interim director of athletics, Blum has served as executive director of the L-Club, the Intercollegiate Athletics Department fundraising organization.  She directly supervises and evaluates the department's deputy director, assistant director, head athletic trainer, administrative assistant, camp director, and 14 head coaches. 

Blum has been involved in all aspects of the UW-La Crosse intercollegiate athletics program as deputy director and interim director of athletics, including strategic planning, personnel, facilities, and resource development.  Her primary duties included managing the athletic program's business operations and budget, which this year will approach $3 million from more than 100 accounts, and serving as the program's chief compliance officer, responsible for certifying student-athlete eligibility and monitoring compliance with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) rules and regulations. 

In addition, Blum had immediate oversight for all of the program's internal functions, including event management, facilities, camps and clinics, athletic training, and sports performance.  She is the staff liaison to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and served as Meet Director in leading the university's efforts to host the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships (in 2011 and 2012) and the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships (in 2013).  Blum also submitted successful bids for UW-La Crosse to host the NCAA III Wrestling Championships (in 2017) and the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships (in 2018).

Blum directly oversaw the programs in men's basketball, men's and women's track and field, men's and women's cross country, gymnastics, softball, and men's and women's tennis in 2013-14. 

Blum's previous job duties, positions and awards include: 

    •    UW-La Crosse Interim Director of Athletics (Summer 2010, July 2014-March 2015)
    •    Member of National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Executive Committee 
    •    2013-14 National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) NCAA Division III Administrator of the Year
    •    Winona (Minn.) State University women's track and field head coach (1997-2004)
    •    Winona (Minn.) State University associate athletic director/senior woman administrator (1997-2004)
    •    Bachelor's degree in recreation management from UW-La Crosse (1992)
    •    Master's degree in sport administration from UW-La Crosse (1997)
    •    UW-La Crosse Intercollegiate Athletics Administrative Graduate Assistant (1995-97)
    •    Marquette University (Wis.) Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports Assistant Coordinator (1993-95)
    •    Tomahawk (Wis.) High School graduate
    •    Whitnall (Wis.), Sparta (Wis.) and Onalaska (Wis.) High School assistant track and field coach