BOSTON, Mass. – Angel Ayres, Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Director of Athletics since November, 2011, has announced she is stepping down, effective May 29, to become the Director of Athletics at the nearby Winsor School. Ayres, who patrolled the women’s soccer sidelines for 15 seasons, leaves the department after an 18-year tenure.

“I would like to thank the entire Wentworth community which has helped me grow professionally over the last 18 years,” said Ayres. “The mentors I have had here have helped me grow into a confident, strong leader. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities Wentworth has provided me. Although it will be difficult to leave what many times I consider my home. I am very excited for my new position. It’s a culture that truly aligns with my personal mission and career goals. I am wholeheartedly looking forward to my future.”

Since taking over as Wentworth’s AD, Ayres has had a successful track record. During her tenure she has added three varsity sports (women’s lacrosse, men’s rowing, and men’s cross country) which has increased student-athlete participation to nearly 320 student-athletes. She oversaw the re-surfacing of Sweeney Field during the spring of 2012, has increased budgets and staffing levels, created numerous new departmental initiatives, and has streamlined departmental operations. Outside of the Athletic Department she has maintained close relationships with such divisions as Student Affairs and Institutional Advancement, often collaborating on projects which are beneficial to all and has served on numerous committees on campus throughout the course of her 18 years on campus.

Within the Commonwealth Coast Conference, she served as the liaison to the men’s tennis coaches and was a member of a working group of CCC Athletics Directors, which was formed in the spring of 2013 to keep the CCC Presidents abreast of important issues within the conference such as sport sponsorship, championships, membership and Division III athletics in New England.

Wentworth’s programs have been successful under her watch as the ice hockey team captured ECAC Northeast championships in 2012 and 2013 as well as picking up the Institute’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win during in 2012 and the men’s volleyball team, which is presently ranked in the Top 15 in Division III for the first time in 14 seasons, earning its first-ever ECAC title in 2014. So far this season the women’s soccer and men’s basketball teams have advanced to the CCC championship game and the men’s cross country team, in its inaugural season, finished as CCC Runner Up. This came on the heels of the men’s rowing team winning the men’s four boat New England Championship in its inaugural season last May.

Outside of the playing field, Wentworth’s student-athletes have maintained a high level of success in the classroom as during the 2013-14 academic year 146 student-athletes received a 3.0 or higher during at least one of their semesters. In the last three years, 56 student-athletes have been inducted in Chi Alpha Sigma, the national student-athlete honor society and Wentworth has had a dual sport student-athlete earn Academic All-America honors in both sports in which she competes.

“Wentworth has been extremely fortunate to have had such a truly exceptional individual work here for the past 18 years,” said Robert L. Totino, Wentworth’s Vice President of Finance in accepting Ayres’ resignation. “During her time at Wentworth Angel has been instrumental in assisting student-athletes to become winners on and off the field. We wish her well in her new endeavors.”

The founder of Wentworth’s women’s soccer program, Ayres (nee Schofield) organized a club women’s soccer team that competed that season as well as in the fall of 1997. The Leopards made their varsity debut during the 1998 season and began the season with a 3-0 record, en route to qualifying for the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament; the first of 11 conference tournament appearances in her 15 seasons at the helm.

From 2001-2005 Wentworth had a very successful five-year stretch, posting a 63-33-2 (.653) record during this span and qualifying for the CCC Tournament in each of those seasons—finishing no lower than fourth. The 2002 season saw Wentworth establish a program record for wins a season with 15 and followed that with the program's first-ever appearance in the CCC finals in 2003. Wentworth made four consecutive trips to the ECAC Division III Tournament, including in 2005 when the Leopards earned their highest seed (sixth). She was voted the CCC Coach of the Year in 1999 and again in 2001.

Ayres coached five players who earned All-New England honors by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, a CCC Rookie of the Year, three CCC Senior Scholar-Athletes of the Year, and a two-time Academic All-America. Additionally, seven of her former student-athletes have been inducted in Wentworth's Athletic Hall of Fame. In her 15 seasons she posted a record of 133-136-10 (.495) and earned both her and the program's 100th win in a 3-1 triumph over Anna Maria on October 17, 2007.

In September, 1999, Ayres was promoted to the position of Associate Director of Athletics for Women's Sports. In this position, she oversaw Wentworth's female varsity sports, including supervising each head coach and administering student-athlete evaluations at the conclusion of each season, as well as serving as Wentworth's Senior Woman Administrator.

As a collegiate student-athlete, she was a three-time (1990, 1991, 1992) National Soccer Coaches Association All-American at Springfield College. Ayres (nee Schofield) played four years for the Pride and had an outstanding career, graduating as the school's leading scorer. In 74 career games, she tallied 51 goals and 25 assists (127 points) and was a three-time (1990, 1991, 1992) Northeast-10 Conference First Team All-Star and two-time (1991, 1992) NE-10 Player of the Year. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation from Springfield in 1993 and earned her Master's degree in Recreational Therapy from Springfield four years later. She is a member of both the Springfield College and Northeast-10 Conference Hall of Fame.

During her collegiate coaching tenure she served on both the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's New England Regional Rankings Committee, as well as the NCAA New England Regional Advisory Committee and was an evaluator for the Olympic Development Program.

Prior to arriving at Wentworth, she had served as the Head Girls' Soccer Coach at Chelmsford (Mass.) High School (1993) as well as being an assistant women's soccer coach at her alma mater (1994-1996).

“Words can’t express my gratitude for the Wentworth Athletic staff,” said Ayres. “Their work ethic and commitment to Wentworth and their student-athletes is remarkable. I am proud to say over the last four years we truly have become a team working together to achieve many goals. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch programs succeed and grow leaps and bounds.”

“I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize all of our student-athletes, past and present, who go above and beyond every day to both succeed in the classroom and in their athletic programs,” added Ayres. “Wentworth student-athletes have a determination, drive, and commitment unlike any other. It still amazes me that they are able to handle the academic course work while competing in very demanding athletic programs as well.”