One of the longest-serving leaders in the Wartburg College athletics department is leaving the school.

Monica Severson has resigned her positions as associate director of athletics, senior women's administrator and head women's golf coach. Severson has accepted a position with a local financial company and plans to leave Wartburg in mid-June, the school announced on Tuesday (April 12, 2016).

Wartburg athletic officials said the search for a new head women's golf coach will occur in the coming month, while the vacated administrative duties will be addressed as part of an upcoming restructuring process within the department.

Severson will continue to serve in all roles through mid-June. She will also serve as meet director for the NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which Wartburg hosts in May.

"I am thankful for the many opportunities Wartburg College provided me over the last 28 years," she said. "I have been able to work with outstanding student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff who believe in the mission of the college and go above and beyond to make Wartburg one of the best colleges in the nation. Wartburg has truly impacted my life in so many ways and will always be a part of who I am."

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In Severson's nine years at the helm of the women's golf program, the Knights have won nine-straight Iowa Conference (IIAC) championships. Three individuals have won five IIAC Golfer of the Year awards, seven competitors have received 12 All-Region honors and Kate Thompson received Second-team All-American honors in 2008.

"Monica's contributions to Wartburg over nearly three decades are immense and her impact immeasurable," said Athletic Director Rick Willis. "Her accomplishments as a coach in both basketball and golf are remarkable and she has been a highly respected administrator on both the conference and national level for many years. We certainly wish her the best in this new opportunity."

Wartburg also made eight-straight appearances in the NCAA Championships and has finished as high as 10th in the team standings. The team will make its ninth-consecutive trip in mid-May.

The 2014-15 team set a school record with five tournament wins in a single season. All-season scoring records -- both individual and team -- have also occurred during her tenure.

Severson previously led the women's basketball team at Wartburg from 1988 to 2005. She left as the winningest coach in program history, guiding the Knights to a 335-131 record in 17-plus seasons at the helm. During her tenure, Wartburg won five Iowa Conference championships and qualified for the NCAA Division III tournament nine times, including three Elite Eight games in 2001, 1992 and 1993.

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