APPLETON, Wis. -- Chris Howard and Kim Tatro will share duties as the interim director of athletics during the 2008-09 academic year, Lawrence University Provost David Burrows announced Wednesday.
Howard and Tatro take over for Robert Beeman, who recently resigned to become the director of athletics at Hamline University.
"I believe that this arrangement will benefit the Department of Athletics and Lawrence University by combining the talents of Chris and Kim and allowing them to share the considerable responsibilities of the athletic director position," Burrows said.
A native of Appleton, Howard has been the head football coach at Lawrence since December 2004. In three seasons as the head coach, Howard has revitalized the Lawrence football program. The Vikings have put together a 13-16 record during his tenure.
Howard is a 1983 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology. He has a master's degree in physical education from Illinois State University.
Tatro has the longest tenure in the Department of Athletics, where she has served since 1993. Tatro worked as director of athletics from August 2002 to June 2005 and was associate director of athletics from February 2001 until assuming the top post in August 2002.
Tatro has been the head softball coach since 1994, and her teams have captured three Midwest Conference championships and twice played in the NCAA Division III Tournament. In 15 seasons, Tatro has compiled a 252-208-1 record and been named MWC Coach of the Year five times. Tatro also served as head volleyball coach from 1993-2000 and is Lawrence's career coaching leader in wins and winning percentage.
Tatro, a native of Naperville, Ill., is a 1987 graduate of St. Norbert College, where she earned a bachelor's degree in psychology.
Lawrence will launch a national search for a full-time director of athletics during the coming academic year, according to Burrows.