St. John's University Athletics
St. John??' Names Amy Kvilhaug Head Softball Coach
8/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
St. John???s University has named Amy Kvilhaug as head coach of the Red Storm softball team, effective immediately.
"We???re really excited to have a coach of Amy???s caliber join the St. John???s family," said Associate Vice President for Athletics, Kathy Meehan. "With her prior experience in the BIG EAST and her success at Radford University, she will enable the St. John???s softball program to rise to the next level."
"I am absolutely thrilled at the opportunity I have been presented with," said Kvilhaug. "St. John's is a fantastic university with so much to offer, including a premier athletic program that I am honored to be a part of. I plan to set high goals and standards for the program and will look for us to be a strong and successful contender in the highly competitive BIG EAST."
Kvilhaug has spent the last four seasons as head coach of the Radford University Highlanders in Radford, Va. While at Radford, she took the program to new heights and molded it into one of the top teams in the Big South. She comes to St. John???s with a 127-115 overall record compiled at Radford. After winning 17 games in her first year, she led her teams to three consecutive seasons with 30 or more victories. It marked the first seasons in Radford history where the team posted back-to-back winning campaigns.
Last spring, Kvilhaug guided Radford to its first 40-win season, posting a .645 winning percentage. Under her direction, Radford???s pitching staff ranked ninth in the nation with a 1.12 ERA as the Highlanders made their first-ever appearance in a Big South Championship game.
Over her four seasons with Radford, Kvilhaug had 17 Highlanders earn all-conference honors, with eight on the first team, which is one more than the Highlanders had in its first 11 seasons of softball. She was named Big South Co-Coach of the Year in 2005 and leaves Radford as the all-times wins leader.
"I hope to share with and instill in the student-athletes what it will take to elevate the program to heights it has never seen," said Kvilhaug. "I take pride in knowing that I will challenge my student-athletes in all aspects ??? academically, athletically and personally ??? so that they will leave the university and program a better person."
Kvilhaug is no stranger to the BIG EAST as she was a four-year pitching standout with the Providence Friars from 1993-1996. She made an immediate impact on the program earning BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, first team All-BIG EAST, second team All-New England and Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament MVP honors all in her freshman season. Kvilhaug served as a team captain during her last three years on the team, leading the Friars to a BIG EAST Championship in 1994 and the ECAC Championship in 1995. She graduated from Providence as the single season leader in appearances (30), games started (29), innings pitched (215.2) and wins (24).
She later served as an assistant coach at her alma mater from 1999-2002, after making coaching stops at Seton Hall, Rutgers and Florida Southern.
"As a former player and assistant coach in the BIG EAST I am excited to return," said Kvilhaug. "The BIG EAST is one of the toughest softball conferences in the country. I am ready for the challenge of not only competing at this level but also excelling with my new team. I want to see St. John's competing for postseason bids consistently."