Lori Hendricks ’92 is stepping down from her role as the director of athletics and chair of physical education and athletics as of February 28, 2021. She will continue to serve Mount Holyoke College as a special assistant to the Vice President of Student Life until June 30, 2021, working on Be Well.
“It has been a privilege serving my alma mater for the past 14 years,” she said. “For all members of Lyons Nation who have helped us build our athletics learning laboratory, I extend my sincerest gratitude. I have celebrated every moment as Mount Holyoke’s student-athletes excelled as champions in competition, as well as champions in the classroom. I look forward to cheering on the Lyons as a proud alum and returning to campus for many reunions to come.”
“We thank Lori for her devoted service to students and to Mount Holyoke,” said Marcella Runell Hall, vice president of student life and dean of students. “The College is committed to maintaining a stellar varsity athletics program. Under Lori’s guidance, the Department of Physical Education and Athletics focused on student-athlete leadership and development, including the Peak Performance and Leadership Academy, which features personal health and wellness, athletic performance, leadership and career development, and community engagement.”
Lori’s commitment to the NCAA Division III philosophy shaped her interest in supporting the well-rounded student-athlete experience. During her Mount Holyoke career, she oversaw a number of firsts, including the College’s first NCAA Woman of the Year Top Thirty award winner in 2016, with the selection of Cathleen Pruden ’16. This June, Michelle Johannes ’93 will be the first Mount Holyoke and first Seven Sister student-athlete inductee into the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame. Additionally, the College launched the first class into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013 to celebrate the accomplishments of its student-athletes and their place in Mount Holyoke’s history.
Moving forward and beginning on March 1, Erica Lemm, the current associate director of athletics, will be the interim athletics director. In addition to her current role as the head lacrosse coach at Mount Holyoke College, the new interim chair of physical education will be Miriam Esber.
In June, the College will hold a celebration of Lori’s remarkable accomplishments. More information will be shared as it becomes available. The search process for the director of athletics and chair of physical education will be announced at a future date.
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