Iowa State’s senior associate athletic director and senior women’s administrator, Elaine Hieber, resigned last week after 23 years in the ISU athletic department.

In a statement released by the athletic department, Hieber said enjoyed working with some exceptional individuals.

“I am grateful to Iowa State University for the many wonderful opportunities and experiences I have enjoyed,” Hieber said. “I feel fortunate to have worked with so many outstanding and talented student-athletes, coaches, staff and faculty.”

Athletic director Bruce Van De Velde made the announcement Friday.

“Her efforts on behalf of all of our student-athletes and her oversight during the development of ISU women’s athletics are profound,” Van De Velde said in a written statement. “Her tenure as interim athletics director in 2000 allowed for a successful transition of leadership in our department.”

Hieber and Van De Velde were both unavailable for comment Monday. Both are currently out of the office for the week at Big 12 meetings, according to sources from the athletic department.

Head women’s volleyball coach Linda Crum said Hieber’s departure is a big one for ISU.

“I think it’s a great loss,” Crum said. “She’s done a great deal in terms of her contributions, and I think she’ll be missed.”

Women’s gymnastics head coach K.J. Kindler agreed. She said she was not expecting the announcement but said it wasn’t “a shock.” She called the decison “a disappointment”

“I was caught off guard by the announcement,” Kindler said. “I was not expecting anything like that to happen.

“Elaine has done a great deal for us. She has been a great supporter of gymnastics, and we will definitely miss her.”

Heiber, who came to Iowa State in 1979, helped author a merger of the men’s and women’s athletic departments.

She has been honored for her work numerous times, and received the Presidential Service Award in 2001, which honors a faculty or staff member who performs outstanding service benefitting Iowa State.

She was also recognized nationally that year by being named the administrator of the year by the National Association of Collegiate Women’s Athletic Administrators. In 1992 she was also given the Carrie Chapman Catt Award for Gender Equity.

It is not yet known who the prospects are to replace Hieber.

When asked if Hieber could be replaced effectively, Crum declined to comment.

Kindler also refused to speculate on how well a successor will match Hieber’s contributions.

“She’s been very dedicated to women’s athletics,” Kindler said. “I can’t predict what her replacement will bring.”