BIDDEFORD — University of New England Vice President for Student Engagement and Director of Athletics Jack McDonald today (Jan. 17) announced that Heather Davis has been promoted to associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator, effective June 1, 2017. Davis will replace Joan Howard, who will be retiring in May.
A member of the UNE Athletics Department since 2010, Davis has been head women’s soccer coach, guiding the Nor’easters to a .605 winning percentage (74-49-13 record) and seven playoff appearances in seven seasons. In addition to her coaching duties, Davis has held numerous administrative roles, including overseeing UNE’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and several NCAA compliance duties.
“I have had a very fulfilling coaching career and it has been such a pleasure to work with so many talented young women over that time,” Davis said. “While I will always cherish that chapter of my career, I am beyond thrilled for this promotion and to take my career in a new direction. I cannot thank Jack McDonald and the entire UNE administration enough for affording me this opportunity.”
On the sidelines Davis led UNE to a stellar .671 winning percentage (41-18-8) in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) regular-season play and her teams made consecutive title game appearances at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Championship in 2014 and 2015. She was voted CCC Coach of the Year by her peers in 2011.
Prior to her time at UNE, Davis spent five seasons as head coach at Lock Haven University (2005-2009) and seven seasons as head coach at Carnegie Mellon University (1998-2004). In her 19 seasons as a collegiate head coach, she has amassed 177 career victories.
Davis holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education and exercise science from Plymouth State University and a master’s degree in sport administration from the University of North Carolina. Davis was a two-time all-region player while at Plymouth State.
McDonald feels Davis will be an outstanding addition to his department’s leadership team.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce that Heather will join our athletics senior leadership team,” he said. “Upon my arrival to the University of New England, I immediately could see Heather’s talents as a coach, administrator and mentor to all. Heather is the perfect person to succeed and continue the great work done by Joan (Howard).”
A native Stow, Mass., Davis and her husband, Joe, reside in Biddeford with their two young children, Joey and Ashley.
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