Kim Allen has resigned as athletic director at the University of New England after nearly nine years at the school.

The Biddeford-based university released a statement Thursday saying it accepted Allen’s resignation Wednesday.

“The university does not discuss personnel matters but wishes to thank her for her service and wishes her the best in future endeavors,” wrote Curt Smyth, the UNE sports information director who will serve as interim athletic director, in an email. “At this point, I/we have no further comment.”

This marks the second time in four years that Smyth has stepped in as interim athletic director for Allen.

In January 2011 the school suspended, then reassigned Allen to its development office after an investigation revealed inordinate amounts of Diversity Scholarship money earmarked for hockey players recruited from Canada.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association reprimanded the school in June 2012 and placed UNE on athletic probation for two years. NCAA rules prevent Division III schools from granting athletic scholarships.

Allen’s resume lists her time as major gifts officer at UNE from February 2011 to August 2012, according to her profile on linkedin.com. Attempts to reach her for comment Thursday were unsuccessful.

At the same time UNE suspended Allen, the school notified six hockey players they would receive a smaller financial aid grant than promised if they continued to play. Two of the six remained and played hockey. Three transferred to other schools and one returned to Canada.

Allen was hired at UNE in February 2006 after five years as associate athletic director at Smith College. Before Smith, she served in a similar capacity at another Division III school, Rutgers University-Newark, for three years.

As an undergraduate at Division I Rutgers, Allen was a four-year player and captain in field hockey and lacrosse, and earned her degree in 1985. She went on to achieve a master’s degree in athletic administration from Springfield College in 1997.

Danielle Ripich, UNE’s president, said in early December that she plans to start a football program within three years. The school currently offers 15 sports, nine of them for women, with women’s rugby slated to join the mix this fall.

Reached by phone Thursday night, Ripich declined to elaborate on the reason behind Allen’s departure.

“This was a personal decision of Kim’s,” Ripich said. “We are going to be looking forward and we wish her well.”

Ripich said the search for a replacement is just beginning.