Becky Carlson appointed Maine-Fort Kent athletic director after Quinnipiac rugby exit
Carlson spent 15 years building Quinnipiac’s women’s rugby programme before its varsity status was withdrawn in 2026.
Becky Carlson has been appointed athletic director of the University of Maine at Fort Kent, taking up the role in August 2026 after 15 years coaching Quinnipiac University’s women’s rugby team.
Carlson replaces Jason Coleman at UMFK, which competes in the United States Collegiate Athletics Association and fields nine varsity sports. The university does not have a rugby team.
Carlson helped establish Quinnipiac’s women’s rugby programme in 2011 and led it to national championships in 2015, 2016 and 2017. She also coached 32 All-Americans and was named College Rugby Coach of the Year in 2015, according to Yahoo Sports.
Quinnipiac downgraded the programme from varsity to club status in spring 2026, ending its university funding. Former players sued the university, alleging the decision was retaliation for Carlson’s advocacy on Title IX concerns.
A federal judge rejected the former players’ request to reinstate the team and declined to issue a temporary restraining order in June. The retaliation claim remains an allegation.
Carlson’s appointment shifts her from a programme whose varsity status was withdrawn to an athletic administration role at a smaller institution with a different collegiate sports structure.
