Following almost 25 years of service patrolling the sidelines as the head women’s soccer coach at Plattsburgh State, Karen Waterbury begins her seventh year in recreation. She currently serves as the director of recreation & club sports, and she is also in her second season as co-head women's tennis coach.
Originally from Binghamton, N.Y., Waterbury exited her head coaching position as one of the winningest NCAA Division III women’s soccer coaches of all time. During her time as a coach, she racked up a record of 279-164-33 (.621 winning percentage) and led three of her Plattsburgh State squads to the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament.
Prior to her days as the Cardinals’ head coach, Waterbury played soccer at Plattsburgh State and earned her bachelor’s degree in business marketing before graduating with a master’s degree in physical education from Ithaca College in 1989.
Waterbury has spearheaded and been an active participant in many athletic recreation endeavors both at Plattsburgh State and in the greater Plattsburgh community. She started the Plattsburgh Fun Run and has overseen and been a part of numerous outdoor tournaments including a beach soccer tournament. She is a certified American Red Cross instructor in CPR/AED and holds a wilderness first responder card.
An active outdoor enthusiast, Waterbury enjoys biking, hiking, playing golf and being on the water.
Karen is married to Chris Waterbury, the former head men’s soccer coach at Plattsburgh State. The two make their home in Plattsburgh and have two grown children – Bailey and Ryan.
