The Calvin University women's softball program has hired Amber Staniulis as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator.

Staniulis is a former Calvin softball player and 2021 graduate. She has spent the last two years at Adrian College as an assistant softball coach. At Adrian she served two years as the NCAA softball assistant as well as one year as head coach of the club softball program. Staniulis also coached travel softball with the Michigan Elite Softball organization.

Staniulis joins a coaching staff led by head coach Becky Hilgert, who enters her eighth season and has led the softball program to two MIAA Conference tournament championships, three NCAA DIII regional appearances, and two NCAA DIII regional finals. With the addition of Staniulis, Hilgert will also return assistant coaches Christie Vander Meer, Abi Colon, and Josie Wagner.

"I am thrilled to have Amber join our very talented coaching staff," said Calvin head women's softball coach Becky Hilgert."  "After Amber graduated from Calvin it was my desire to find a way for her to join our staff in the future. Her experience with Adrian has prepared her to take the next step as a coach at Calvin and in her coaching journey. To now have four former players coaching with me just shows the passion they all have for Calvin softball, and their dedication and desire to grow and mentor our young women as we continue to strive to reach our ambitious goals for our program."

Staniulis played for the Calvin softball program from 2018-2021. During her time at Calvin her teams won two MIAA tournament championships and made three NCAA Division III regional appearances. Staniulis' senior year she anchored the Knights at third base and was stellar defensively with a .974 fielding percentage.

A native of Rockford, Michigan, Staniulis graduated from Sparta High School. At Calvin she graduated with a degree in Sports Management and plans to pursue her MBA at Calvin.

"I was beyond excited when Becky called me offering this great opportunity to return to Calvin. After I graduated, I knew that I wanted to spend my time coaching and it has always been a dream to coach here at Calvin. I am looking forward to learning from Becky as well as teaching the athletes how to excel on and off the field," Staniulis said.

Stanilius will join a Calvin softball program that finished 29-11 this spring, finished second in the MIAA regular season standings and reached the MIAA Tournament Championship final.