WilmU One-on-One: Get To Know Erin Harvey, Associate Director of Athletics

She’s also a member of the NCAA Division II Committee for Legislative Relief and an active administrator in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. Harvey spent six seasons as WilmU’s head softball coach and earned a B.S. in Sports Management from the University.

Q. How have sports enriched your life?

Sports have been a passion of mine since I was a young girl. From my early childhood, I remember my father sharing his love of sports with me. Whether it was playing catch out in the backyard; spitting out names, numbers and averages from our local Philadelphia teams; attending games to eventually playing various sports; and then ultimately working in intercollegiate athletics — sports have always been our common ground and deeply shaped our relationship. He instilled that passion in me, and from there, I’ve grown to truly understand how much sports can influence a person’s life. Not only do they provide physical and mental well-being, but they also teach confidence, self-esteem, leadership, teamwork and resilience. 

Sports provide an avenue to build and develop relationships and can bring people of all walks of life together. The lessons taught along the way are far greater than the wins and losses experienced, and this career has afforded me a front-row seat on the journeys of all our student-athletes. It’s there that I get to witness every day the impact they have on a person, and I’m beyond blessed to get the chance to do that for a living. I’ll forever be grateful for the many opportunities sports have provided me, not only for the wins and highlights but for the lessons they’ve taught and the people I’ve met along the way. 

Q. What do you find most rewarding about working with WilmU’s student-athletes?

Developing relationships and playing just a small part in the journey of so many is the most rewarding experience of working with our student-athletes. I get the chance each year to meet young people from all over the world and offer an avenue of support as they continue their academic and athletic careers. I find a great sense of pride being a trusted person they can count on for answers and advice. Seeing their hard work pay off, by acing a class or scoring a game-winning goal, never gets old.  

Developing and supporting student-athletes on and off the field has become my purpose. I don’t have any children of my own, and I joke each year that I am a “mother” to over 300. They have become my “why,” and the smiles, hugs, handshakes, witnessing their successes and offering a listening ear to make sense of a tough loss make the long hours and crazy schedule more than worth it.  

Q. What is the most memorable experience you’ve had with the WilmU Wildcats?

I don’t know that I have just one. There have been so many over my time at WilmU. I’ve met so many wonderful people that the relationships developed are close to the top of the list. Coaching softball and having such a direct impact on so many young women and experiencing all the game taught us — from bus-ride karaoke sessions to winning the NAIA Regional Championship in 2003 — that whole coaching journey is up there. Supporting coaches as they build their programs and navigate the challenges presented has also been extremely rewarding.  

There have been so many “firsts” for the department that I have had the privilege to experience — countless CACC Championships, baseball winning the first regional in 2015, golf making the Elite 8 in 2016, and most recently softball winning back-to-back regionals and going to the National Championships in 2023 and 2024. Seeing so many student-athletes walk across the stage at graduation is really my “championship” and brings me such great pride and joy. Even later, getting invited to their weddings and meeting their families and children reminds me of the impact we have on their lives while they’re here at WilmU with us, and I’m forever grateful for those moments, big and small.  

Q. What exciting things are on the horizon for Wildcat Athletics?

This fall is off to a phenomenal start. Both golf and women’s tennis won CACC Championships, and men’s and women’s cross country were runners up at their championship meet. Our men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball teams are poised for deep postseason runs. The winter sports are just about to kick things off, and there is great anticipation surrounding their 2025-2026 campaigns. And our spring sports are primed to bring even more trophies back home to Wildcat Country. It’s possible that this year could be our most successful yet!  

The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference continues to grow, and the NCAA and their membership are trying to evolve with the ever-changing tides of intercollegiate athletics. We’re excited to see the impact additional schools, potential new sports, modern rules and other exciting opportunities might bring for our student-athletes and athletic department.  

Q. What do you love about WilmU?  

WilmU is all about family. From my time as a student, I could see that the supportive environment and genuine care for others were evident. The sense of community and pride among students, staff, coaches and administration alike make everyone in Wildcat Country feel valued and respected — from their first contact until long after they graduate. 

As an employee with the University for almost 25 years, I’ve been blessed to work with countless colleagues who share that same passion to serve others, many of whom have become my closest friends. There are several reasons that those who come to WilmU, whether as a student or staff/faculty member, stay connected to the University for so long. We truly embody what it means to be a family, and we find great joy in helping others achieve their goals. Their successes are our successes, and no one celebrates you and your wins quite like the WilmU family.  

Q. What’s something most people don’t know about you?  

I like to think I’m an open book and regularly joke with colleagues and friends that my “quirks and issues” are well documented. My parents recently moved to St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. Our family spent a great deal of time there during the pandemic, as my father came out of retirement for a short-term job opportunity. Our family fell in love with the island — its people, culture, beauty and charm. I’ve been blessed to make it my home away from home. Not many places can get me away from WilmU (and get me to use vacation time willingly), but St. Croix has captured my heart. When there, I snorkel regularly, chasing sea turtles, sharks, rays and whatever other little creatures I can capture on my GoPro camera. I enjoy using my phone to take scenic photos (I prefer sunrise over sunset as it offers the promise of a new day) and spending a great deal of time just staring out at all the shades of blue around me.  

I’ve also had the privilege to see a few sea turtle nest hatchings (Leatherback, Hawksbill and Green), even saving 30 turtle babies who inadvertently wandered into the pool instead of the sea one morning. I’ve become a trained sea turtle nest spotter and have been educated on the three types of sea turtles who make their home on St. Croix, identifying their tracks and habitats, and how to help protect these endangered species. I look forward to volunteering with the St. Croix Sea Turtle Project during future visits.  

I’m also happy to play tour guide to anyone who wants to visit this little 22-mile-long, 7-mile-wide slice of paradise. I’ll show you where scenes from the movie “Shawshank Redemption” were filmed (my favorite movie, and spoiler alert — that last beach scene with Andy and Reds is not really in Mexico). Until then, I’ll continue to visit regularly and work on becoming an honorary Crucian. 

Q. You must be friends with our mascot, Wiley D. Wildcat. What can you tell us about him? 

Wiley and I go way back (I may or may not have donned his suit at the Green & White Scholarship Gala one year), and as everyone knows, he’s the fiercest Cat in all the land. Wiley loves a good time and is always ready to bust out his famous dance moves. He bleeds green, which kind of makes sense since rumor has it that he’s also a big Eagles fan (go Birds!). Though he’s had a makeover or two over the years, one thing hasn’t changed: He is far friendlier than he may first appear. He doesn’t miss a chance to support our students, staff and University community, and WilmU is so very thankful he’s ours!