Kansas Names Lowery Assistant Soccer Coach

Jan. 3, 2005

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The University of Kansas soccer program announced today that former Emporia State head coach Kara Lowery will join the staff as an assistant coach with the Jayhawks. Lowery will replace Kansas assistant Donna Holyman, who has decided to leave coaching to pursue other endeavors.

“Professionally, this is an opportunity that doesn’t come along everyday,” said Lowery. “Kansas is a top 10 Division I program and I was honored when coach Francis called me about the position.”

The Ponca City, Okla., native joins KU after being named the MIAA Coach of the Year following her only season at Emporia State. In 2004, she lead the Hornets to a 10-8-2 record, marking the first winning season in the four-year history of the program. ESU placed third in the MIAA and climbed as high as fifth in the NSCAA/Adidas Central Region rankings.

Prior to her appointment at Emporia State, Lowery served as the head coach at St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, Okla., for four seasons. Under her guidance, the team was able to advance to the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament all four seasons and to the NAIA Tournament in 2001. During her tenure, the Lady Cavs complied a 30-38-6 overall record.

Lowery began her collegiate coaching career as an assistant at Central Oklahoma from 1998-99.

“We are very excited to have Kara as a part of our staff,” said Kansas head coach Mark Francis. “We conducted an extensive search and she was unanimously the one that the players liked and the coaching staff felt would be a good fit.”