ABILENE – McMurry announced the return of Caroline Cleveland to the athletics staff as senior associate athletic director for DEI and administration and assistant volleyball coach.
 
Cleveland previously served as an assistant volleyball coach in 2014-15, helping lead the team to records of 21-13 and 19-11 with two appearances in the NCCAA national tournament.
 
"I'm very excited to work with Caroline to enhance the experience of our scholar-athletes," said McMurry director of athletics Larry Dockery. "I am confident Caroline will do an outstanding job serving our diverse population here at McMurry."
 
Cleveland also served as head coach of the Abilene Aces club team, winning nine tournaments in two seasons. Cleveland joined the staff of Abilene High School as an assistant in volleyball and soccer in 2016 and was named head volleyball coach at AHS in 2021. She led the Eagles to three postseason appearances, including a ninth-place finish in 2022. Before her arrival, AHS had not made the playoffs since 2015. Cleveland received Coach of the Year honors in 2022.
 
"I am thrilled to welcome Caroline back to our program," said McM volleyball head coach Cammie Petree. "Not only does she bring a wealth of knowledge and experience as an outstanding player and coach, but she has a rich heritage here and a well-established love for McMurry. I am excited to work with her again and am looking forward to the positive ways she is going to impact not only our players but our campus community."
 
Cleveland played volleyball at Angelo State and graduated from McMurry with a degree in business administration in 2014.
 
The daughter of former McMurry employee Chris Proctor-Cleveland, and granddaughter of former McMurry coach Glen Cleveland and Billye Proctor-Shaw, Caroline attends St. Paul Methodist Church. She also has volunteered with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, The Grace Museum, Hendrick Home for Children, and Meals on Wheels.
 
She is a native Abilenian.