In 1993 Kristin Hughes took over a Case Western Reserve program that had not posted a winning season in a decade and turned it into a winner in just her third season at the helm. In 2002 she guided the Spartans to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance with a 20-7 record. In 2003, she became interim athletic director.

In 2004-05, Hughes will take her talents to Division I Colgate, where she's been hired as head coach.

"Leaving Case was one of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make," said Hughes, who resigned at Case this afternoon, June 18. "I considered people there family, from the girls on the team to my colleagues in the office. But coaching at the Division I level was a goal of mine, and I am ecstatic to be able to take over a program of Colgate's caliber."

Hughes -- the school's all-time winningest coach -- is a lifetime 120-156 in 11 years at Case, a charter member of the University Athletic Association. She has been an assistant athletic director and primary women's administrator since 2001 and was named the university's interim athletic director in May of 2003.

"We never really thought of Kristin as an interim and hoped she would remain part of our family," said Case vice president for student affairs Glenn Nicholls. "But this is a tremendous opportunity for her and one she aspired for. We are both proud of and excited for her, and will miss her infectious enthusiasm."

Nicholls said that the national search process for a new AD was already in motion and will become a bigger priority. He is unsure if the university will name another interim in the meantime.