Karla Sass

Biography

Updated: August 2024 Karla Sass enters her 25th year working with Tennessee Athletics in 2024-25, as she enters her second year as the Director of Tennis Operations. Sass provides administrative and logistical support to both the Vols and Lady Vols programs. Prior to her role with Tennessee tennis, Sass spent 23 years with the Tennessee rowing program. In 2000, she started as the facility coordinator and equipment rigger for the team. From 2010-23, Sass served as the program's director of operations. Before coming to Tennessee, Sass worked in the University of Iowa Athletics Department for 11 years—seven as a facility coordinator and event management supervisor, and four as the travel coordinator and facility/events supervisor for the Hawkeyes’ rowing program. In addition to her duties with Iowa Athletics, Sass also spent four years working as a land surveyor in the Iowa City area. Sass was a member of the Iowa Women’s Rugby Club from 1987-96, the midwest regional squad from 1992-96 and was a member of USA National Women’s Rugby Development Squad in 1995-96 prior to a career-ending injury. She graduated from Iowa in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in Education and dual minors in Health and Coaching. After graduation, she held a teaching and coaching position in a small town in Iowa and coached girls basketball and girls track & field. A native of South English, Iowa, Sass still holds her high school’s shot-put record.