Lorraine Carner builds on student-athlete development as Mercy's new Athletic Director

Although "Athletic Director" is a new title for Lorraine Carner, Mercy Academy has been her home for the past seven years, where she has been deeply involved in developing successful student-athletes. Carner was recently promoted to Athletic Director at Mercy after serving as Interim Athletic Director for eight months.

Carner began her Mercy career in 2018 when she was hired as a Business and Technology teacher. During that time, she also served as an Assistant Softball Coach during head coach Greg Meiners' last season with the school.

By 2020, Carner showcased her adaptability as she worked to manage athletic programming amid the challenges of COVID-19. In the fall of that year, she took on the responsibility of ensuring that proper PPE was available for teachers, taught her classes, and then spent her afternoons in the Athletic Office, supporting then-Athletic Director Mark Evans. Her tasks included scheduling games and practices, processing payments and deposits, coordinating travel, and ensuring compliance with COVID-19 protocols set by the state and the KHSAA.

Carner also resumed coaching softball along Coach James Brentlinger and took on the task of planning an outdoor, in-person prom, graduation, Mass, and other events. During this period, Angela Passafiume was hired as the new Athletic Director. Starting in the fall of 2021, Passafiume brought Carner on board as her Assistant Athletic Director.

"I went from wearing what felt like 100 hats to just one big athletic hat," Carner said. "However, having navigated so many roles in my short time at Mercy, I gained invaluable insight into the systems, processes, and reasons behind the way things are done.

After serving as Assistant Athletic Director for two years, Carner was promoted to Associate Athletic Director for the 2023-2024 school year, and later was named Interim Athletic Director amid Passafiume's departure.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of my time as an athletic administrator has been the opportunity to work closely with our student-athletes and coaches, seeing firsthand the impact athletics has on their growth," Carner said. "I do get a very specific feeling when I turn onto Fegenbush every day. These quiet moments reaffirm my commitment to developing a program that prioritizes student-athlete development, competitive excellence, and the values that make Mercy Academy special."

Carner said serving as Athletic Director has given her the opportunity to combine her passions for leadership, organization, and student development. She said it has also allowed her to continue building a program that aligns with Mercy's mission, while creating an environment where both athletes and coaches can thrive.

"Personally, this role is deeply meaningful to me because I believe in the transformative power of athletics," she said. "Sports teach resilience, teamwork, leadership, and confidence -- qualities that extend far beyond the field or court. As a leader at Mercy, I see athletics as an extension of the classroom, providing invaluable life lessons that shape our students into strong, confident young women."

For Carner, Mercy's athletics programming is special because of the school's commitment to developing the whole student-athlete. She said Mercy teams emphasize not only competitive success but also personal growth, leadership and community engagement.

"We have a strong tradition, a dedicated coaching staff, and student-athletes who embody grit, determination, and enthusiasm for their sports," she said.

To build on these strengths, Carner said she plans to continue fostering an environment where athletes feel supported but also challenged. This includes enhancing resources for teams, providing professional development opportunities for coaches, and expanding community and alumnae involvement in programs. Additionally, she aims to strengthen partnerships within the school and local community to ensure Mercy Athletics continues to thrive.

For Mercy Athletics to truly flourish, it is essential to have support from Mercy parents, alumnae, and the broader community. Carner highlighted several key ways to get involved, including showing school spirit by attending games, meets, tournaments, and events; engaging with Mercy Athletics on social media to raise awareness and celebrate the achievements of athletes; volunteering at special events like senior nights and fundraisers; assisting with team parent roles, partnering with athletic programs through sponsorships, donations, or supporting initiatives that improve facilities, equipment, and team experiences; and helping student-athletes off of the field by offering career guidance, internships, or networking opportunities.

"Through collaboration, we can continue to create an environment where our student-athletes thrive," Carner said.

As she looks toward the future in her new role, Carner said her vision is to continue fostering a culture of excellence, support, and opportunity within Mercy Athletics.

"I look forward to working alongside our athletes, coaches, families, and community members to build on our proud traditions and create new successes together," she said. "Mercy Athletics is more than just competition -- it's a place where young women develop confidence, resilience, and leadership skills that will serve them for life. I'm honored to lead this program and look forward to collaborating with our community to make our vision a reality."

To learn more about Athletics at Mercy Academy, click here.