ing academic records in addition to their athletic achievements. As surprisingly successful as AMU’s sports teams have been, expectations are even higher as the 2015-16 season begins. AMU’s women’s basketball team, which has averaged 20 wins a year under Coach Bob Batson’s leadership, has competed for the conference crown every year and twice won bids to the NAIA national tournament. Baseball and softball, too, have competed at high levels, and the men’s basketball team, under new head coach Frank Lamanna, who came to Ave Maria after heading up a similar program at Franciscan University, hopes to continue to maintain the Gyrenes fine reputation. The men’s soccer team for the 2015 season is under the guidance of new Head Coach Antonio Soave, a former professional player and highly-regarded coach. Among his many accomplishments, Soave
Above: The men’s soccer team held a practice on Lowdermilk Beach in Naples this preseason.
founded and operated a Catholic-oriented soccer academy after previously leading Franciscan University’s men’s soccer team to their first winning season in 2008. He will not be the only coach with the task of instantly assembling a competitive team. AMU’s women’s lacrosse team has 10 new athletes signed up as it prepares for its second campaign this spring.
With talented players who are committed to their teams, dedicated coaches and training staff, and new leadership on board, AMU will continue giving life to Tom Monaghan’s vision of a major Catholic University that excels not only spiritually and academically, but also athletically. Tom’s Irish eyes must be smiling!
MEET NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR KIM KING »»
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or Kimberly King, the new Athletic Director at AMU, sports have always been a part of life. Growing up in Syracuse, New York, she played softball and basketball, ran cross-country and track, and danced at the Metropolitan School of the Arts. After receiving her B.A. in Speech Communication from the University of Richmond and her M.A. in Counseling from Franciscan University of Steubenville, she worked for 20 years in varying athletic administration roles at Binghamton University in New York. King explains why she came to AMU. “When the time was right for my family, I always wanted to work at a university that holds the values that I hold dear in my home life.” When her oldest son graduated from high school, and she was offered the position here, she decided the time was right. “I love the school and am fully on board with its mission,” she says. “I hope to use sports as an avenue to get the word out about AMU and the amazing blend of faith, academics, and athletics that it offers.” King has already been working on hiring new coaches, developing administrative roles, and creating strategic plans to strengthen AMU’s athletics department. King hopes to contribute to a growing understanding of how Catholic beliefs can be applied to athletics. “Being on a team and participating in sports provides students with an amazing opportunity to grow in virtue, fellowship, and holiness by setting an example and holding each other accountable,” she says. Under King’s steady hand, the best days of Ave Maria athletics are ahead.
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