Longtime softball head coach released from duties

Kim Gwydir was released as softball head coach on May 15. A search currently is underway for a replacement.

"A decision was made to change head coaches for our softball program," FIU Athletic Director Pete Garcia said. "We recognize Kim's contributions to this program and all she has accomplished in her 10 years as head coach, but it is time for us to move in a different direction."

Gwydir was the softball program's first head coach and compiled a 326-294-0 (.526) record in her decade at the helm of the softball program.

Coach Russo recognized with Zaharias Award

Women’s basketball head coach Cindy Russo joined a prestigious group of individuals on May 7 as she received the Babe Didrickson Zaharias Award from the Sports Society at the 24th annual Women Athletes Reach for the Stars awards banquet.

“I am very honored by this award,” Russo said upon accepting it. “I am very impressed with the Sports Society and what they do for women and girls in the community. They are truly an elite organization.”

The Zaharias Award is given each year to an exceptional professional or amateur athlete. This past season, Russo became the 13th active coach in NCAA Division I basketball to surpass 600 wins. She has led the Golden Panthers for the past 28 seasons, which includes a string of 23 consecutive winning seasons and multiple tournament championships and conference titles.

The Sports Society is comprised of role models from the community who strive to promote athletic events for women, encourage equal opportunity among all athletes and recognize those female athletes who have achieved greatness.

Other awards presented at the banquet include the Lifetime of Giving Award and the Dorothy B. Shula Scholarship. Former FIU golf coach, Mary Dagraedt, received the Lifetime Award in 1985 in recognition of her hard work and commitment to increasing opportunities for female athletes.

Men’s soccer coach to retire

After 27 years at the helm of the men’s soccer program at FIU, head coach Karl Kremser announced on May 7 his retirement effective later this summer. Kremser’s name is synonymous with championship soccer; he guided two national championship teams at FIU in 1982 and ‘84 and three others reached the national finals, including his ‘96 team that played for the NCAA Division I crown against St. John’s.

Under his direction, the Golden Panthers have competed in the NCAA Tournament four of the last six years, advanced to the postseason eight times since beginning competition in Division I soccer in ‘87 and 13 times overall since he took over the program in 1980.

“We owe a great deal of gratitude and thanks to Karl for his 27 years as head coach of the FIU soccer program,” said FIU Athletic Director Pete Garcia. “Our vision and goal is to continue to build upon what he has already established and we wish him nothing but the best.”

Kremser retires from FIU as the 17th winningest coach ever in NCAA Division I men’s soccer history with a 337-210-41 career record. He posted a 324-171-41 mark at FIU and guided the Golden Panthers to 24 winning seasons. His teams recorded 10 or more-victories 14 times in the past 17 years.

He was named Florida’s Coach of the Year in 1980 and the Collegiate Coaches’ South Region Coach of the Year in ‘85. He was selected Trans America Athletic Conference (TAAC) Coach of the Year in ’91 when he guided the Golden Panthers to their first conference crown and NCAA Division I Tournament appearance. He was voted TAAC Coach of the Year again in ‘96 and picked up Atlantic Soccer Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2002 and 2004 – FIU’s final season with the league.

For more information on Kremser’s achievements, click here.

Golden Panthers taken in NFL Draft

Former Golden Panther Antwan Barnes became the first member of the FIU football family to be drafted when he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens as an outside linebacker with 134th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft on April 29.

Chandler Williams joined him as an NFL Draftee, going to the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round with the 233rd overall pick.

Barnes, a 2006 first-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection and Lombardi Award nominee, ended his FIU playing career with 224 career tackles, becoming only the sixth Golden Panther ever with 200 or more tackles. He ranked third in the nation and tops in the Sun Belt Conference (SBC) with 1.88 tackles for loss per game and is the school's all-time career leader in that category with 57.0 to go along with his FIU career mark of 22 sacks. He recorded a season-team best and school record four sacks in the season opener at Middle Tennessee and grabbed his lone interception of the year and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown versus North Texas.

Williams was 2006 second-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection and ranked ninth nationally and first in the SBC averaging 6.7 receptions per game and was also best in the league averaging 66.4 receiving yards per contest. He finished the season with 67 catches that was not only a new single season FIU record but it was also a new school mark for catches by a senior receiver. With 203 career receptions, he is FIU’s all-time leading pass catcher and the only Golden Panther receiver ever to catch more than 200 passes in a career.