SAN ANTONIO, Texas – University of the Incarnate Word Athletic Director Brian Wickstrom announced Tuesday that he has accepted the resignation of Head Coach Anne Felts.
 
"I want to thank Anne for all of her service to our student-athletes and UIW," Wickstrom said. "She has put our program in a position to be successful at the Division I level. I know Anne will be a Cardinal for life and enjoy watching the next coach continue to build on her vision for the program."
 
A player on the 2003 national championship team at North Carolina, Felts had coaching stints with the Sporting Columbia Soccer Club and Rockbridge High School in Missouri, before joining the Cardinals as an assistant in 2012.
 
"We appreciate Anne's efforts in leading the UIW women's soccer program through its Division I transition," Senior Women's Administrator Angela Lawson said. "Her players have consistently excelled in the classroom and conducted themselves in a first class manner. Her character and leadership will be missed."
 
In her first season with the program, Felts helped guide UIW to a second-place finish in the Lone Star Conference and a runner-up finish at the LSC Tournament. In her second year as an assistant and the program's first season competing in the Southland Conference, the Cardinals put together an impressive 10-6-3 record.
 
Felts was promoted to head coach in 2014, and was integral in transitioning the program from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I status in 2017.
 
Felts also directed her program to earn the prestigious NSCAA Academic Team Award, after posting a 3.23 G.P.A. in 2014.
 
"I would like to thank President Dr. Thomas Evans, Athletic Director Brian Wickstrom, and former Athletic Directors Mark Papich and John Williams for giving me the opportunity to lead the UIW Women's Soccer program, and for believing in me and my vision for the program," Felts said.
 
"I was fortunate enough to work for some really fantastic individuals during my time at UIW and thankful for every single person, especially Tina Patterson, Angela Lawson, Angie Torain and Amanda Pulido. I am thankful for their guidance and patience, and for being wonderful role models for myself and my student-athletes. My staff, Kerwin Johnson, Jenni Branam, DonLouise Martens and David Cavazos, were incredible to work with, and I am grateful for everything they have done for my student-athletes and our program over the last four years.
 
"I was not able to achieve the results I wanted on the field, but off the field we were able to maintain at least a 3.2 GPA, place 58 student-athletes on the Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll from 2014-2016, and perform over 1000 hours of community service since 2015. I am incredibly proud of the student-athletes I was able to recruit to the UIW family. They are all extraordinary human beings who live the core values of the University of the Incarnate Word and the women's soccer program every day.
 
"I am sad to announce my resignation, but am looking forward to spending more time with my children, Henry and Nora, and my husband, Wes. I resign knowing that the program and student-athletes will be well led going into the 2018 season. I wish nothing but the best to everyone at UIW. Go Cardinals!"
 
A national search for Felts' replacement is underway.
 
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