Worcester, MA --- Kelly Downs has been named Worcester State University Assistant to the Athletic Director for Academic Services. Downs, who will begin her duties immediately, will concentrate her efforts on academic advising, student-athlete retention and assisting the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

The newly created position is funded through the NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority and Women’s Internship grant, which is a two-year grant to help member institutions and conference offices create a professional administrative opportunities for minorities and women. The Worcester State athletics department was awarded the grant this past spring.

Downs comes to Worcester State as a standout student leader and athlete from Bridgewater State University. In addition to being a four-year starter on the field hockey team, Downs was named a recipient of the Female BSU Student-Athlete Leadership Award in her senior year.

For the last two seasons Downs has served as an assistant coach for the Bridgewater State field hockey team. Downs will fill the same capacity under newly appointed head coach Chris Pothier.

As a player, she was a three-time All-Little East standout back and was garnered with second team NFHCA All-New England honors in 2009. As a sophomore she totaled five goals, one assist and six defensive stops to help backstop the Bears to the ECAC Division III New England Championship in 2007.

Since the spring of 2010, Downs was the head coach of the varsity girl’s lacrosse team of Oliver Ames High. She was also two-year member of the Bridgewater State women’s lacrosse team and aided the Bears in their run to the 2008 NEWLA Championship and ECAC Division III Championship game with 11 goals and two helpers in 20 games.

Downs, who earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Bridgewater State, is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Athletics Administration from Endicott College.