Amicone Named Head Coach for Women's Softball at BYU

PROVO, Utah - Mary Kay Amicone, an assistant softball coach at the University of Utah, has been named head coach for BYU's softball program, effective June 1.

The announcement was made today by Elaine Michaelis, BYU Women's Athletic Director.

Amicone comes to BYU with extensive Division I coaching experience, having been with Utah's program for seven years. While at Utah, the team participated in the NCAA College World Series in 1991 and 1994, finishing 7th and 5th respectively, as well as NCAA Regional participants in 1991, 1994 and 1995.

She also brings high school coaching experience, having coached at Bingham High School from 1995 to 1998, leading the team to a 2nd place Region Championship in 1998, 5th place in 1997 and the 5A State Champions in 1996 with a 26-1 record.

"We are very pleased to have Mary Kay join our women's athletics program," said Elaine Michaelis. "She brings tremendous coaching experience at the Division I level and she has our complete support. We are confident she will make the women's softball program succeed here at BYU."

Amicone has also been involved with Utah's Junior Olympic Softball program for the past 13 years. She has been head coach for the Utah Thunderbirds 18-under age division, the Xtreme 18-under age team and head coach for the 14-under, 16-under, and 18-under age divisions with the Utah Bullets.

With the Bullets, her teams finished 9th and 5th in separate years at the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) National Tournament.

"I'm very excited about this opportunity to be part of BYU's great athletic tradition," said Amicone. I know that the state of Utah has been waiting a long-time for BYU to have a softball program, and this is great news for the local athletes. I'm looking forward to competing with the rest of the great Division I programs in this state, the new conference and the rest of the nation."

Amicone feels that her instate involvement in women's softball will be a great advantage in her new position.

"I think that my knowledge and familiarity with the local talent and skill level will be important at this time because right now we're behind in our recruiting needs."

Along with her coaching, Amicone also has numerous years of teaching experience. She's taught at the elementary and secondary levels in Utah's school system as well as at the college and university levels. She taught at Bingham High School and at Oquirrh, and Riverton Elementary schools.

She was also an adjunct teacher at Salt Lake Community College and at the University of Utah. In both assignments, she taught softball coaching classes as well as strength training and beginning basketball classes.

Her college career included four years of softball competition while a varsity player at the University of Utah and at nearby Weber State College. Amicone received ASA First-Team All- America honors in 1980 and ASA Second Team All-America accolades in 1979. She was also named team captain all four years she competed in softball.

In 1997, she was inducted into the Utah Softball Hall of Fame. She was also listed in Who's Who in American Colleges in 1983 and received the Most Inspirational Player award by Utah's softball team that same year.

Amicone received her B.S., degree in Elementary Education from the University of Utah in June 1983. She and her husband Marc, reside in Sandy with their two sons, Trevor and Derek. Marc Amicone is an assistant athletic director at Utah.

Those interested in BYU's women's softball program can contact coach Amicone by mailing an inquiry to: Mary Kay Amicone, BYU Women's Softball Coach, 228 Smith Fieldhouse, Provo, Utah, 84602. You may also call 801-378-4225 for additional information.

Amicone will finish her current assignment as Utah's assistant softball coach as well as her involvement in creating a women's softball program at Salt Lake Community College.

Her official start date is June 1.