Shawn Summe Named Ave Maria University Athletic Director
by Colin Voreis
AVE MARIA, Fla. – President Jim Towey of Ave Maria University announced today that Director of Athletics and Head Football Coach Kevin Joyce has been named the University’s new Vice President for Institutional Advancement. His transition to administration prompted Towey to also announce that Ave Maria Baseball Coach Shawn Summe is taking over as the Director of Athletics for the Gyrenes, and that Marty Quinn, Offensive Coordinator for the football team, is the new Head Coach.
Joyce began his service at the University in August 2010 in the office of Institutional Advancement, and will return to oversee all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, alumni affairs, and communication with external constituencies. “Kevin Joyce did a great job expanding participation in our intercollegiate sports programs to over 300 men and women and re-establishing the Ave Maria football team,” said President Towey. “We need him to lead the development efforts of the University and I am sure his familiarity with athletics will help us as we improve our athletic facilities and expand our programs in the years ahead.”
Summe has been the Gyrenes baseball coach since 2009, and this past year assumed additional duties as Assistant Athletic Director. In his new role, Summe will be responsible for the University’s 14 varsity sports programs, club cheerleading team, and will continue with his baseball duties. Towey praised Summe’s qualifications for these new responsibilities. “Shawn understands well that academics comes before athletics, and that the moral and character formation of our student athletes is central to the work of our coaches. I am confident that Shawn is the right man to take our programs to the next level so that our student athletes compete well and also graduate in four years.”
Quinn assumes his new duties as head football coach as the Gyrenes approach their third season of competition. Quinn was Offensive Coordinator for the Gyrenes this past season. The Gyrenes averaged 321 total offensive yards per game in 2012 under Quinn, nearly 100 yards per game above the previous year’s level. “Marty loves the University and is respected by our players,” said Summe. “He’s bringing back a solid nucleus of starters and his promotion to head coach maintains the continuity necessary for a successful recruiting year. Along with defensive coordinator Nick Sanchez, Marty greatly contributed to the improvement in the players’ performance both on and off the field, and I am excited he’ll be taking over the top position.”
The football team went 3-8 in 2012, and is expected to return 85 players next year, including 21 starters. Quinn will begin a search for a new offensive coordinator immediately.