AVE MARIA, Fla. --- Eleven-year Major League Soccer veteran Eddie Gaven has been named the head coach of the Ave Maria men's soccer program, it was announced today by Athletic Director Kimberly King.
 
"Eddie is a perfect fit for AMU.  He cares about the mission of the school and can help us get to the next level of play because he has been there," said King. "We are lucky to have someone with so much talent and heart to coach here at Ave."
 
Gaven, who at the age of 16 was drafted 12th in the 2003 SuperDraft by the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, played 11-years in the MLS before retiring in 2013. He was selected to the MLS Best XI in 2004 and played in the MLS All-Star game that same year.
 
In 2008, he won the MLS Cup with the Columbus Crew and was named the 2008 Columbus Crew Humanitarian of the Year. In 2010, he was the recipient of the humanitarian award for a second time and was also named Columbus Crew Team Most Valuable Player.
 
In July 2012, Gaven became the youngest player to play in 250 MLS matches at 25 years and 257 days old.
 
On the international stage, Gaven represented the US at the U-17 World Cup in 2003 and the U-20 Word Cup team in 2005. He was a member of the 2008 Olympic qualifying team and played with the Senior National Team eight times, including the 2007 Copa America tournament.
 
Gaven is on the Catholic Athletes for Christ (CAC) Speaker's Bureau which was was founded in October 2006 in response to the tremendous interest and demand for Catholic sports personalities. The speakers are chosen for their integrity, dynamism, love for their Catholic faith and sports
 
Gaven graduated Summa Cum Laude from the American InterContinental University with a bachelor degree in Business Management.