Eddie Gaven is in his seventh season at the head coach of the Ave Maria men's soccer program. Gaven, an eleven-year Major League Soccer veteran, was named the head coach of the men's soccer program in February 2016.
Gaven is the longest tenured coach in the history of the men's soccer program, and is the winningest men's soccer coach in AMU history.
In 2020, the AMU men's soccer program qualified for The Sun Conference Tournament, and earned their highest conference finish in school history.
Gaven led the Ave Maria program to its best-ever season in 2018, as the Gyrenes won a school-record seven matches. During the 2018 season, Ave Maria set school records in goals, assists, and points, and saw individual school records in all three categories fall. For his efforts, he was named The Sun Conference's Coach of the Year.
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 Major League Soccer 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 World 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 American Intercontinental University with a bachelor degree in Business Management.
Accolades:
2018 Sun Conference Coach of the Year
