The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Demers Adds Ben Munger as Assistant Coach
3/5/2018 3:07:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB women's soccer head coach Erica Demers announced Monday that Ben Munger has joined the program as an assistant coach.
Munger arrives in Birmingham after two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Akron where he worked primarily with the goalkeepers. He was instrumental in the recruitment of Akron freshman keeper Amani Jiu, who earned a spot on the MAC All-Freshman Team after leading the conference in saves (101 overall/65 MAC) and saves per game (5.32 overall/5.91 MAC). In addition, Jiu was tied for sixth in shutouts (4 overall/2 MAC) and eighth in shutouts per game (0.21).
Jiu became the first Akron keeper since 2010 with back-to-back shutouts when she accomplished the feat against Miami (Ohio) and Ball State. She is also the first Zip in program history to eclipse the 100-save mark for a single season and ended the year ranked first at Akron in single season saves and seventh in career saves.
"We are absolutely thrilled to be adding Ben to our staff," Demers said. "He worked under a very good staff at Akron and learned a great deal of knowledge that we know will apply here at UAB. He is a young, driven individual that will blend very well with our staff dynamics. He values putting his players first, which is also an attribute that we put in high regard. I know he will help us move forward with our program."
Munger joined the Zips after serving as the men's assistant coach at Tennessee Wesleyan University in 2015. He was also the goalkeeper coach for the women's team during the 2015 season.
A former four-year starter at Maryville College, Munger played in goal for a team that was rated as high as 14th in the nation. During his collegiate career, he was ranked third in NCAA division III in save percentage and 26th in goals against average. In 2011, he was named to the Great South Atlantic Conference All-Freshman team. Munger was a three-time USA South Academic All-Conference team selection. In 2014, he was named USA South First-Team All-Conference.
Munger earned a bachelor's degree in business with a minor in Spanish.
"It was easy to see right away that UAB is a place that is growing, and I think that's especially true with the women's soccer program," Munger said. "Erica is a spectacular human being and an excellent coach, and I'm really excited and grateful to have the opportunity to work with her and Lee to help the program grow towards its potential."
After his playing career ended, Munger served as the goalkeeper coach for both of Maryville High School's soccer teams, including the 2015 girls season when the team accumulated 11 shutouts in its 17-1-2 season. He has also worked with goalkeepers at both at FC Alliance and the University of Tennessee summer camps.
In addition to coaching, Munger has spent time leading trips to Nicaragua with VISIONS Service Adventures, an organization that works with high school students doing service projects abroad.
For more information on UAB women's soccer, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WSOC), Instagram (@UAB_WSOC) and Snapchat (@UABAthletics).
Munger arrives in Birmingham after two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Akron where he worked primarily with the goalkeepers. He was instrumental in the recruitment of Akron freshman keeper Amani Jiu, who earned a spot on the MAC All-Freshman Team after leading the conference in saves (101 overall/65 MAC) and saves per game (5.32 overall/5.91 MAC). In addition, Jiu was tied for sixth in shutouts (4 overall/2 MAC) and eighth in shutouts per game (0.21).
Jiu became the first Akron keeper since 2010 with back-to-back shutouts when she accomplished the feat against Miami (Ohio) and Ball State. She is also the first Zip in program history to eclipse the 100-save mark for a single season and ended the year ranked first at Akron in single season saves and seventh in career saves.
"We are absolutely thrilled to be adding Ben to our staff," Demers said. "He worked under a very good staff at Akron and learned a great deal of knowledge that we know will apply here at UAB. He is a young, driven individual that will blend very well with our staff dynamics. He values putting his players first, which is also an attribute that we put in high regard. I know he will help us move forward with our program."
Munger joined the Zips after serving as the men's assistant coach at Tennessee Wesleyan University in 2015. He was also the goalkeeper coach for the women's team during the 2015 season.
A former four-year starter at Maryville College, Munger played in goal for a team that was rated as high as 14th in the nation. During his collegiate career, he was ranked third in NCAA division III in save percentage and 26th in goals against average. In 2011, he was named to the Great South Atlantic Conference All-Freshman team. Munger was a three-time USA South Academic All-Conference team selection. In 2014, he was named USA South First-Team All-Conference.
Munger earned a bachelor's degree in business with a minor in Spanish.
"It was easy to see right away that UAB is a place that is growing, and I think that's especially true with the women's soccer program," Munger said. "Erica is a spectacular human being and an excellent coach, and I'm really excited and grateful to have the opportunity to work with her and Lee to help the program grow towards its potential."
After his playing career ended, Munger served as the goalkeeper coach for both of Maryville High School's soccer teams, including the 2015 girls season when the team accumulated 11 shutouts in its 17-1-2 season. He has also worked with goalkeepers at both at FC Alliance and the University of Tennessee summer camps.
In addition to coaching, Munger has spent time leading trips to Nicaragua with VISIONS Service Adventures, an organization that works with high school students doing service projects abroad.
For more information on UAB women's soccer, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_WSOC), Instagram (@UAB_WSOC) and Snapchat (@UABAthletics).
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