The University of Minnesota Board of Regents has approved an employment agreement extension for University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) Director of Athletics Forrest Karr. This agreement keeps Karr under contract as the leader of Bulldog Athletics through June 2032.

"We're pleased to have Forrest's continued leadership as director of Bulldog Athletics," said UMD Chancellor Charles Nies. "His proven track record, dedication to the program and our Bulldogs' success — on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the community — demonstrate the impact he's had at UMD. I look forward to that momentum continuing over the next six years."

Karr has served as UMD's director of athletics since August 2022, and is in his 21st year overall as director of athletics at an NCAA member school. 

"I am grateful for the opportunity to continue working with such an exceptional team of caring coaches and staff," said Karr. "Thank you to Chancellor Nies, President Cunningham and the Board of Regents for supporting UMD student-athletes and believing in our shared vision for continuing and building upon the proud tradition of Bulldog Athletics. I am excited about working alongside colleagues to help develop the University's strategic path forward, and collaborating with partners across the NSIC, WCHA and NCHC as we develop plans to successfully navigate the many significant changes impacting intercollegiate athletics."

Since Karr's arrival, the UMD Department of Athletics has finalized and implemented a new strategic plan and also started the annual UMD Athletics Week of Giving, which resulted in 2025 being the highest revenue generation year in Bulldog Athletics history, placing UMD in the top 1% of all NCAA multidivisional (DI/DII) schools. 

With Karr at the helm, UMD programs have continued to excel in the classroom, competition and community. 

In the classroom, Bulldog student-athletes have earned 123 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District accolades and 15 College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honors. During the most recent two semesters, Bulldog student-athletes earned a 3.51 GPA (highest in department history) in fall 2025 and a 3.46 GPA in spring 2025. During the most recent full academic year (2024-25), UMD student-athletes earned 207 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) All-Academic Team, 13 National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Academic All-Conference and 15 Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) All-Academic Team honors. In addition, UMD student-athletes have earned the WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year Award and the NSIC Dr. William Britton Scholar-Athlete Award each of the last two years.

During Karr's tenure, 11 of 16 varsity programs have participated in NCAA postseason competition. This past fall, UMD football earned the 2025 NSIC championship. In addition, UMD women's basketball earned the 2023 NCAA Central Region championship and finished as NCAA Division II National Runner-Up for the first time in program history, and UMD men's basketball won the 2023 NCAA Central Region championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the first time in program history. 

In the community, UMD student-athletes continue to make a positive difference with over 3,000 hours of community service and engagement each year. During the last three years, Bulldog student-athletes have carried out an annual clothing drive and have the highest number of National Marrow Donor Program registered donors across the entire Midwest — including all Division I, II and III programs. UMD Athletics has also created the annual Bulldog Awards, organized pre-game tailgating events before early season home hockey games and even brought back the Maroon Loon mascot for a celebratory weekend. UMD has also hosted the 2025 WCHA Final Faceoff Tournament, the 2025 NSIC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, and the 2023 NCAA Division I Women's Frozen Four. In addition, UMD is scheduled to host the 2026 NSIC Outdoor Track & Field Championships and the 2027 NCAA Division I Women's Frozen Four.

Karr currently serves as a member of the Downtown Duluth Board of Directors. He also chairs the NCHC Athletic Council and has held numerous other conference and NCAA leadership positions.