APPLETON, Wis. — Alex Kaeding has resigned as the fencing coach at Lawrence University, Director of Athletics Mike Szkodzinski announced today.
Kaeding, who took over as head coach in July 2014, stepped away from Lawrence’s program to concentrate on his work career. Former head coach Steve Amich will return to the top coaching position, Szkodzinski said.
“Alex did a great job with the team this past season,” Szkodzinski said. “Alex wanted to focus on his work responsibilities away from Lawrence, and we wish him all the best.”
Kaeding was named the Midwest Fencing Conference Coach of the Year after Lawrence finished fourth in the combined team standings at the 2015 MFC Championships. Lawrence enjoyed a stellar season by winning gold in men’s sabre at the MFC Championships, and nine Vikings earned all-conference honors.
Amich, who was an assistant coach this past season, has been with the Lawrence program for 30 years. Amich first took the reins as head coach after the retirement of long-time coach Mary Poulson in 1993. He gave up the head coach responsibilities in the summer of 2014.
During Amich’s tenure, Lawrence won a national championship when Mike Gattnar took the NCAA epee title in 1995. Amich also coached Jeff Peyton, who is the only four-time NCAA Championships qualifier (1998-2001) in Lawrence history.