TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton has announced the hiring of Amber Maisonet as interim head softball coach. An assistant coach for the Engineers the past two years, Maisonet replaces Erika Lewis, who resigned. A national search to fill the position permanently is underway.

“I am extremely excited for the opportunity to lead the softball program at RPI,” said Maisonet. “This is an exceptional team with tremendous student-athletes who I am anxious to continue to help grow and strengthen. I look forward to working closely with the members of athletic department as it progresses with the Institute.”

A native of Newburgh, N.Y., Maisonet originally joined the Rensselaer staff in 2009, helping the Engineers to a 26-14 overall record and the finals of the ECAC Tournament in her first year. This past season RPI played in the Liberty League Tournament finals and finished with an overall record of 19-18-1.

As a student-athlete, Maisonet played Division I softball and soccer at the University at Albany, enjoying tremendous success for the Great Danes.

As an outfielder she was a four-year starter and two-year captain who earned All-America East First Team recognition every season. She graduated with school career records for hits (233) and runs (151) and ranked in the top five in a number of other categories, including second in stolen bases (96), fourth in batting average (.361) and triples (12), and fifth in RBI (80).

The 2005 America East Rookie of the Year, Maisonet led Albany to three straight America East Championships (2005, 2006, 2007) as well as an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2007 when the team advanced to the Regional Finals.

Following her senior season in 2008, she was an ESPN the Magazine National Academic All-America First Team selection and the University at Albany Female Athlete of the Year. She was also America East All-Academic First Team for the fourth straight year and she won the Chancellors College Athlete Award.

In addition to softball, Maisonet, a graduate of Newburgh Free Academy, also started 12 of 14 matches played as a goalkeeper on the soccer team as a graduate student in 2008.

She graduated Cumma Sum Laude with a degree in psychology and a minor in mathematics. Maisonet earned a Master's in Educational Administration from Albany in 2010.