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LeMaire excited about opportunity at Emporia
6/21/2011
By RANDY GONZALES
rgonzales@dailynews.net
Julie LeMaire is excited about becoming the ninth head softball coach at Emporia State University. She's also happy her assistant, Erin Kinberger, was named to replace her at Fort Hays State University.
"I'm excited for her," LeMaire said of Kinberger in a phone interview Monday. "It's a great opportunity for her to step in for her first head coaching position."
LeMaire was introduced as the Hornets' new coach in a news conference Monday morning in Emporia. LeMaire was one of nearly 60 applicants for the ESU job, which became open after Kristi Bredbenner was named head softball coach at Wichita State University on June 6.
LeMaire said she was fortunate Fort Hays was her first head coaching position.
"Definitely, the girls have been just an absolute pleasure to work with," LeMaire said. "I would say Fort Hays would be the absolute best place I could imagine starting" out as a head coach.
Bredbenner was 295-82 in six seasons at ESU, twice taking the Hornets to the NCAA Division II national title game. She led ESU to five regular season and conference tournament championships.
Emulating ESU's success was LeMaire's goal at FHSU.
"When you speak of Emporia, that's what we try to focus on building here," LeMaire said.
Both LeMaire and Kinberger are looking forward to matching wits on the field next season.
"Julie and I have gotten really close the last three years," Kinberger said. "I know the kids love her to death, I know she loves the kids, loves Fort Hays. ... I think that will only intensify the rivalry we have with them."
"I'm ecstatic, I can't wait for it," LeMaire said of the first matchup against FHSU. "I think it will be fun for Erin and (me)."
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |