Murray State University Athletics
Photo by: NIU & FIU Athletic Media Relations
Softball Bolsters Coaching Staff With Additions of Gilland & McClain
8/7/2012 11:28:00 AM | Softball
MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State softball head coach Kara Amundson is pleased to announce the additions of assistant coaches Ashley Gilland and Ashley McClain to her coaching staff for the 2012-2013 season.
Gilland arrives in the Commonwealth after two years as an assistant coach at Northern Iowa. During her tenure in Cedar Falls, she helped lead the Panthers to a record of 70-41, including a 38-16 campaign in 2012 in which UNI claimed the Missouri Valley regular-season championship.
“I am really excited to welcome Ashley Gilland to the Racer softball family. She brings an incredible amount of successful coaching experience at a high level,” said Amundson. “Ashley has proven herself to be a positive motivator, coach and role model to student-athletes and I am looking forward to her bringing her knowledge and positive attitude to this Murray State staff.”
Prior to Northern Iowa, Gilland spent five seasons at Western Illinois, with two as a player, one as a student assistant and two as a graduate assistant. While in Macomb, Gilland earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 2007 and a master's in sport management in 2009.
Before transferring to Western Illinois, the Ocala, Fla., native spent two seasons at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Fla.
While her duties will be drastically different this time around, Gilland is no stranger to Murray State. During the 2009-2010 season, she served as a marketing assistant for the Racers, handling promotions for volleyball, women's basketball and softball.
McClain comes to Murray State after a highly-successful four-year playing career at Florida International, helping lead the Panthers to winning record in each of her four years. She ended her career at FIU as the program's all-time leader in batting average (.357), total bases (415), RBIs (161), home runs (33) and doubles (53). She also finished second in career hits with 253.
During her tenure at FIU, McClain racked up several incredible honors, including becoming only the second player in program history to be named to the All-Sun Belt first-team on three occasions. In 2010, she became the Panther's first-ever Sun Belt Player of the Year and in 2012, she became the first FIU player to earn three National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region honors. She was also a 2012 candidate for the Lowe's Softball Senior CLASS Award.
“Ashley McClain is a proven competitor on field and will bring a wealth of new knowledge to our staff, said Amundson” “She has recently been coached by some of the best pitching coaches in the game and I am looking forward to the dimensions that she will bring from being fresh off of the playing field.”
McClain graduated from Florida International in May with a bachelor's in criminal justice.
While at Murray State, Gilland will work primarily with hitters and outfielders, while McClain will work with the pitchers and assist with hitting.
Gilland arrives in the Commonwealth after two years as an assistant coach at Northern Iowa. During her tenure in Cedar Falls, she helped lead the Panthers to a record of 70-41, including a 38-16 campaign in 2012 in which UNI claimed the Missouri Valley regular-season championship.
“I am really excited to welcome Ashley Gilland to the Racer softball family. She brings an incredible amount of successful coaching experience at a high level,” said Amundson. “Ashley has proven herself to be a positive motivator, coach and role model to student-athletes and I am looking forward to her bringing her knowledge and positive attitude to this Murray State staff.”
Prior to Northern Iowa, Gilland spent five seasons at Western Illinois, with two as a player, one as a student assistant and two as a graduate assistant. While in Macomb, Gilland earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 2007 and a master's in sport management in 2009.
Before transferring to Western Illinois, the Ocala, Fla., native spent two seasons at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Fla.
While her duties will be drastically different this time around, Gilland is no stranger to Murray State. During the 2009-2010 season, she served as a marketing assistant for the Racers, handling promotions for volleyball, women's basketball and softball.
McClain comes to Murray State after a highly-successful four-year playing career at Florida International, helping lead the Panthers to winning record in each of her four years. She ended her career at FIU as the program's all-time leader in batting average (.357), total bases (415), RBIs (161), home runs (33) and doubles (53). She also finished second in career hits with 253.
During her tenure at FIU, McClain racked up several incredible honors, including becoming only the second player in program history to be named to the All-Sun Belt first-team on three occasions. In 2010, she became the Panther's first-ever Sun Belt Player of the Year and in 2012, she became the first FIU player to earn three National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region honors. She was also a 2012 candidate for the Lowe's Softball Senior CLASS Award.
“Ashley McClain is a proven competitor on field and will bring a wealth of new knowledge to our staff, said Amundson” “She has recently been coached by some of the best pitching coaches in the game and I am looking forward to the dimensions that she will bring from being fresh off of the playing field.”
McClain graduated from Florida International in May with a bachelor's in criminal justice.
While at Murray State, Gilland will work primarily with hitters and outfielders, while McClain will work with the pitchers and assist with hitting.
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