Florida National University Expands Its Athletic Department with the Addition of Three New Sports for the 2015-2016 Season.
After the creation of the Athletic Department more than two years ago, Florida National University (FNU) is building off of the endeavors that were put in place by adding three more sports for the 2015–‘16 school year.
With the Men’s Basketball team finishing with a 20-11 record and its first ever trip to the USCAA National Tournament, now is a great time to see sports expand at FNU. FNU will begin the 2015–2016 season by adding a Women’s Volleyball Team and Women’s Soccer Team as well as a Men’s Soccer Team.
Taking the helm of the Women’s Volleyball program will be former Miami-Dade College Assistant Coach James “Jimmy” Exley. During his 10-year tenure with Miami-Dade College Exley has coached over 19 All-Americans while at Miami-Dade and was a key factor in the 1999 National Championship Run. His experience of coaching and recruiting at such a high level will be a great asset for FNU Volleyball.
“It is my pleasure as the Athletic Director of Florida National University to introduce to you James Exley, who will be the first ever Women’s Volleyball Coach here at Florida National University,” stated FNU’s Athletic Director, Scott Schmidt. “Coach Exley brings a vast knowledge of high-level competitive volleyball and his experience will play a key role in establishing a successful Volleyball Program here at FNU.”
Schmidt also said, “James exemplifies the qualities, values and characteristics we are working to establish within Conquistador Athletics. We couldn’t be more pleased to see Coach Exley build this program from the ground up.”
James was also the Head Boys’ Volleyball Coach at Miami Coral Park Senior High School from 2001–2007, where he totaled a win-loss record of 161-31 in his 6 seasons. He totaled 4 district championships, 2 regional championships, and had two 3rd place finishes in the FHSAA Boy’s State Volleyball Championships.
Taking control of the Men’s and Women’s Soccer program will be Joao Garcia, a native of Brazil who has just come off of an undefeated Semi-Pro regular season as the Head Coach of Miami-Dade FC in their inaugural season.
“Joao brings a wealth of knowledge in regards to the game of soccer and soccer talent here in South Florida and globally,” Schmidt Said. “Joao has been granted the ability to start up another soccer program from scratch and we couldn’t be more pleased to have it be here at Florida National University.”
Garcia, prior to coaching for Miami-Dade FC, was the Director of Soccer at Andrew College and the Head Coach at Alonso Tracey Mourning High School in North Miami, FL. Joao’s team at ATMHS made a run to the state semi-finals after accumulating only 3 losses throughout the regular season. Garcia played his college soccer at Barry University where he was named Captain and led his teams to the NCAA D-II National Tournament 3 times. It was at Barry where Garcia won 2 Sunshine State Conference Titles and was placed on the All-Conference and All-Region teams.
“It is my pleasure to welcome Joao to Florida National University Athletics,” said Schmidt. “Joao brings a great deal of positivity and excitement into his field of soccer. You can tell he loves being around Soccer 24/7. I feel that type of positivity will reflect in his ability to establish a prosperous Soccer Program at FNU.”
Florida National University’s Athletic Department Mission Statement:
“The mission of the Florida National University Athletic Department is to provide assistance within an athletic structure that promotes the development of a well rounded education through structured sport and competition, to develop life skills of discipline, integrity, leadership, philanthropy and social responsibility, to elevate ethnic and cultural diversity within the athletic programs, to assure equitable opportunity for all staff and student-athletes, and to make the athletic program a durable source of pride for the student population, student-athletes, alumni, university, and community of FNU.”
For more information about Florida National University, go to the FNU website.
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For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with a Florida National University representative, please contact Jose Alonso, Social Media/Marketing Specialist, at 305-821-3333 ext. 1067 or email jalonso@fnu.com.
