Drexel University Athletics
Softball
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- kc392@drexel.edu
- Phone:
- x-1837
215-895-1837
In her first season at the helm of the Drexel softball program Head Coach Kim Camara continued her ascent as one of the rising stars in collegiate softball coaching. After taking over in September 2006 as the seventh head coach in the program’s history, Camara established a winning attitude from day one. Camara’s Dragons responded, delivering her first collegiate coaching win, 13-8 over Western Carolina on Feb. 23, 2007, just three games into the season.
From that point, Camara guided the team to its best start since 1990, going 8-4 through its first 12 games including a five-game winning streak. Under Camara’s tutelage, the 2007 Dragons established themselves as one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the CAA. Drexel displayed its coach’s never-say-die attitude by coming from behind in the final inning to win conference games against Delaware and Georgia State. The Dragons won both series and became the only CAA team to sweep the Panthers, who advanced to the finals of the conference tournament.
When the dust settled on the 2007 season, the Dragons posted their best team batting average, hit more home runs and drove in more runs than any other Drexel team in the program’s history. Despite suffering through injuries that halved the team’s pitching staff and outfield by mid-season, Camara’s squad rallied itself and narrowly missed qualifying for the conference tournament. The CAA recognized the Dragons’ superlative offensive season and gritty performance through conference play by honoring three Dragons with All-Conference distinction. Ashley Botelho earned CAA Co-Rookie of the Year and Brianne Brown was named to the All-CAA Second Team. Botelho and freshman hurler Katrina Gaudier both made the All-Rookie Team as well.
Before coming to Drexel Camara compiled a coaching and recruiting resume at UNC Wilmington is nothing short of impressive. She played an integral role in the Seahawks rapid rise to success in the Colonial Athletic Association. With Camara’s help the Seahawks earned their first berth in the CAA Tournament in 2006 after finishing third place in just their third season of competition in the CAA. Camara was also instrumental in recruiting All-Conference First Team selections Ali Gardner and Carly Hughes, who led the CAA in hitting, respectively in the last two seasons. Six other Seahawks, who Camara helped to recruit, were also named to All-Conference teams in 2006.
Her passion for softball and its intricacies developed as a four-year letterwinner at the University of Rhode Island from 1997 to 2000. She served as a team captain as a junior and a senior and earned the Field General Award during the 1999 season as well as earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team at the UNC Triangle Classic. She graduated in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and went on to work as operations manager and instructor at Planet FastPitch in Uxbride, Mass.
Camara moved into the assistant coach position at UNC Wilmington in 2001 where she assumed responsibility for recruiting, organizing practices, and game-day coaching. She worked primarily with pitchers and catchers and also instructed players in batting and baserunning. Her work with the team was displayed prominently on the field last season as the Seahawks led the CAA in batting average, slugging percentage and hits.
This season the Dragons are ready for take-off. The team loses just two starters from the 2007 squad and return three all-conference players, including Ashlee Veilleux an all-region performer in 2006 who sat out most of 2007 with an injury. Camara has instilled the players with a winning attitude and the core of returning Dragons are hungry for CAA Tournament competition. With a healthy pitching staff this season, Camara’s squad is poised to begin its ascent to becoming one of the elite teams in the CAA.
