"To be chosen as director of athletics development at USC Beaufort is one of the most exciting and challenging endeavors of my career,” Abbott said. “I consider it a privilege and look forward to meeting the great people of the University of South Carolina Beaufort and the people in the surrounding communities. My family and I look forward to calling the greater Bluffton area home.”

At USC Columbia, Abbott was an associate athletics director, a position she held since 2001. She served the University in other capacities in athletics administration, including women's golf head coach. She came to USC in 1991 from Dartmouth College, where she was head women's golf coach from 1989 to 1991. While at USC, she brought the USC women's golf team from the Metro Conference to SEC competition.

In the mid '80's, she earned a golf scholarship and played on the women's golf team at University of Missouri while earning a BS in health and physical education. She was captain of the golf team her junior and senior years and earned all-conference honors her senior year.

“Having an athletics program is certainly important in developing a full service baccalaureate institution,” Chancellor Jane Upshaw said. “However, it will take careful planning and fundraising. We are fortunate to have Kim Abbott bring her experience, knowledge, and commitment to this effort.”

Abbott is committed to developing a program that will be an integral part of the Beaufort campus.

“I believe that institutions of higher education have a great deal to gain from athletics,” she said. “The experience of participating in collegiate athletics will be a valuable experience on many different levels. Athletics provide a unique education and, I believe, have an important place on college campuses.

“As we plan and raise money for future athletics, we will be creating history—one that will be exciting and successful for USC Beaufort and the region and important in the lives of our student athletes."

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