Hempstead, NY - Hofstra University Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeffrey A. Hathaway today announced the appointment of Lauren Leo to the position of director of tennis at Hofstra University. In her role, Leo will oversee both the men and women's tennis programs. She replaces Alison Adamski, who resigned in December to pursue interests outside of coaching.

"Lauren Leo is a proven winner," said Hathaway. "She did an outstanding job at Adelphi working with the men and women's teams. In addition, her experience as a tennis professional and with the USTA will further benefit our student-athletes and program. Her strong commitment to academics will compliment her coaching talents as she leads the Pride to success in the years to come."

"I am very honored and excited to have been selected as the director of tennis at Hofstra University," said Leo. "My thanks are extended to Mr. Hathaway and the Hofstra family for providing me with this opportunity to lead both the men and women's tennis programs. Hofstra University is a prestigious institution that affords its student-athletes with a great opportunity to excel in multiple arenas - academics, athletics and within the community. As the director of tennis, I am fully committed to building an outstanding tennis program that will be the "Pride" of Hofstra."

Leo comes to Hofstra after  serving as the head coach of men and women's tennis at Adelphi University in Garden City, New York, since May 2011. In her first season at Adelphi she led the women's team to a 17-6 record, a six seed in the 2012 NCAA Division II Tennis Championship and a share of the regular season Northeast-10 Conference championship. Leo also coached six players on the women's team to all-conference accolades in 2012. In her one full season at the helm of the men's team she guided the squad to nine victories and saw junior Andreas Hammar earn the 2012 Northeast-10 Conference Men's Tennis Player of the Year Award.

Prior to assuming head coaching responsibilities at Adelphi, Leo served as an assistant coach for the Panthers for two seasons. In that time she helped Adelphi's women's team to back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances in 2010 and 2011, and also had a hand in guiding the men to a 2010 NCAA Regional.

In addition to her experience at Adelphi, Leo was also the head coach of the Hunter College women's tennis program from November 2008 through August 2009. She also has an extensive coaching background outside of college, having served as a USTA/Eastern National Coach since June 2005. In that time she has lead three junior teams to first-place finishes and one to a runner-up spot. Leo also serves as a tennis professional at The West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York, and Point Set Indoor Racket Club in Oceanside, New York.

A 2007 graduate of St. John's University with a degree in sports management, Leo was a three-time Big East All-Academic Team selection as a member of the tennis team. She began her collegiate playing career at the University of San Diego in 2002.

A Staten Island, New York, native, Leo holds a master's degree in physical education from Adelphi.