University of Virgin Islands Athletic Direcot Dr. Karen Carty has been named named the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) Athletics Director of the Year. She wins the award in her first year at the institution. The announcement was made last week at the conference’s annual year-end business meeting by Dr. Kiki Barker-Barnes.

“It is a great honor to be voted AD of the Year by my GCAC peers in my first year as an AD and in the league,” Carty said. “The award is a testament to the hard work our entire athletics staff has put in during UVI’s inaugural year in the GCAC.”

The Athletic Director of the Year and other GCAC Distinguished Member Awards are voted on by GCAC council members and awarded annually. The decision is based on the peer-to-peer rankings of each council member, and the administrator with the most points wins the award. Conference honorees are nominated for the NAIA award. The winner is announced during NAIA National Awards Day, which takes place in September, and is presented with a certificate and recognized during an annual event in concurrence with the NAIA National Convention.

“This is one of my favorite times of the year, where we get to recognize the incredible accomplishments and leadership of our student-athletes and member school leadership,” Baker Barnes said.

Dr. Carty was hired as athletic director at the University of the Virgin Islands last July. Making her the first female athletic director in the history of the university. She was selected as the GCAC Vice Chair of the Council of Athletics Directors in September 2023 and Chair in December 2023. Dr. Carty has made major strides in stabilizing the Buccaneer Athletic Department in her almost-year with the program. Since being at UVI, Dr. Carty has hired a head for the cross country and track and field programs, added a compliance consultant, sports information director, and two graduate assistants to support the staff.

With her vast experience in sports marketing, Dr. Carty used her skills to oversee the planning and execution of UVI’s inaugural “Buccaneer Madness,” a basketball season kick-off event, and several other themed games during basketball season.

“I am looking forward to our evolution into the HBCUAC and excited for what the future holds for the conference,” said Carty.

During the 2023–24 season, UVI played 25 home games, five times more than the previous season due to its membership in the GCAC. This allowed the athletics department to engage the campus and local communities on numerous occasions.

The GCAC officially becomes the HBCU Athletic Conference on July 1, 2024.

“We are excited about our name change and what it represents, and I look forward to continuing these awards and honors as the HBCUAC,” Baker Barnes said.