Rob Wade was named the new head softball coach at Avila University July 10, 2012.

Wade was most recently the head softball coach at Blue Valley North High School as well as head coach and founder of the Kansas City Zephyrs Gold Junior club softball team. Over the past seven years with the Zephyrs, Wade aided in the development and recruiting of over 35 NCAA Division I softball players. Wade has also coached several all-star teams as he served as head coach for the Adidas Futures All Star Team last month, an assistant coach in the St. Louis All Starts vs. US Olympic Team game in 2008, and was co-head coach in the 2009 Adidas All Star Class game in Boulder, Colorado.

“I am tremendously excited to become the head coach of Avila softball”, said Wade. “It is my goal for the program to ascend to the top of the HAAC conference and to compete for a national championship. I have high expectations for the future of Avila softball.”

Wade replaces Alicia Baker who led the Eagles to a 9-35 record in her one year at the helm. The Eagles graduate four seniors and are tabbed to return 15 letter winners led by HAAC Honorable Mention shortstop Darah Matheis.

Avila Athletic Director Gary Gallup had the following to say on Wade’s hiring, “Rob Wade is a tremendous addition to our outstanding athletic staff. He is very highly thought of by his peers in the softball community in the Kansas City area and throughout the nation. His experience and passion will help us develop a first-class softball program.

Paul Clark is entering his first season as an assistant coach for the Avila Softball program after being hired in August of 2012.

Clark, a Belton, Missouri native, graduated from Belton High school in 2007 and was a letter winner in baseball as well as a manager for the softball team. Paul was then recruited to play baseball at fellow HAAC member Culver-Stockton College where he competed for three season and overcame multiple shoulder surgeries to continue playing.

While at Culver-Stockton, Paul was a PA announcer for eight of the Wildcat athletic programs over a four year period and helped with the day to day operations in the athletic department. His duties included athletic event planning, set up, and clean up. Clark graduated from CSC in December of 2011 with a Bachelors of Science in Physical Education/Health.

After his four year career at Culver-Stockton, Paul returned to Belton High School where he served as the assistant softball coach for the 2012 state qualifying team that went 25-3 overall. Clark also served as the scorekeeper/announcer for Belton High School athletics.

Clark is currently pursuing his Masters of Sports and Business Administration degree at the University of Central Missouri and resides in Belton, Missouri.