Flanagan to Serve as Women's Lacrosse Director of Operations
7/2/2019 1:16:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan women's lacrosse head coach Hannah Nielsen announced on Tuesday (July 2) the hiring of Kelly Flanagan as director of operations.
"I am thrilled to welcome Kelly to the team," said Nielsen. "With her background and experience in athletic operations at all levels, she will be a huge asset to our program. I am excited to see the impact she will have for us."
Flanagan comes to the women's lacrosse program after serving the same role with the Wolverine swimming and diving program for one year. During her time with the swim and dive team, Flanagan coordinated all travel logistics and also handled the team's budget and equipment needs.
In her new role, Flanagan will be responsible for all day-to-day office operations, which include overseeing all aspects of the budget, team travel and home game logistics. She also will supervise team managers, coordinate on-campus recruiting visits and events and manage camp operations for the Wolverines. In addition, she will serve as the liaison between the women's lacrosse program and other departments within Michigan Athletics.
"I am really excited to start with the lacrosse team," said Flanagan. "Being a former player myself, I am passionate about the sport and I am looking forward to a great season."
Prior to her stint at Michigan, Flanagan served as the executive assistant to executive vice president and general manager, Ron Hextall, and president of the Philadelphia Flyers, Paul Holmgren, for three years. Flanagan's responsibilities included handling all communication for both Hextall and Holmgren, as well as coordinating all travel arrangements and accommodations for player callups and injured players. She also supervised the operations staff and acted as the notary public for players, coaching staff, management staff and hockey operations.
Flanagan received her start in operations when she worked as the executive assistant for hockey operations in the American Hockey League. While working in the AHL, Flanagan was directly under the president and CEO of the league, managing all referee and linesman expenses, while also handling all travel. During her time, she developed a travel matrix in order to save the league money and served as a liaison to AHL Hall of Fame inductees and families during the AHL All-Star Classic.
A 2011 graduate of Union College, Flanagan worked in the women's lacrosse offices organizing fundraising, youth clinics, ordering apparel, scheduling practices and dining arrangements for travel. Following a coaching change, she worked closely with the senior associate athletic director, assisting with the coaching transition.
Flanagan earned her Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Union College in 2011 before going on to earn her Master of Education in sports management and recreation in 2013.
