Karen Atkinson Named Head Field Hockey Coach

SALEM, Mass. --  Karen Atkinson '11 has been named the new head coach of the Salem State field hockey program. Atkinson previously served as assistant field hockey coach under Stephaine Rouse for three seasons. "Karen's experience as both a two-sport student-athlete and coach have helped prepare her to take on this new role and lead our field hockey program. She has already impacted our student-athlete community as an assistant coach, and is an asset to our athletics department. I am excited to see her grow the program in the years to come," said Salem State Athletic Director Nicolle Wood.      

Atkinson was also promoted to interim women's lacrosse coach this past winter. A native of Reading, Mass., Atkinson graduated with honors from Salem State University in 2011, earning a degree in Sport and Movement Science with a concentration in Fitness/Wellness. A three-year field hockey player for the Vikings, she led the team in assists (10) in 2009. Atkinson graduated in May 2015 with Master of Education, Leadership in Physical Education and finished her CAGs through American International College in School Leadership in 2019.  

Atkinson currently works as an elementary physical education teacher in Revere, Mass. Prior to her teaching career she held the assistant field hockey position at Daniel Webster College (Nashua, N.H.) in the fall of 2011 before being named head women's lacrosse coach in the spring of 2012. Atkinson has extensive experience coaching experience, having been the head girls lacrosse coach at Revere High School for four seasons while also coaching club teams on the North Shore since 2012.