DENVER  

During the month of February, the University of Denver Division of Athletics and Recreation will catch up with eight former black student-athletes, reflecting back on their DU careers and looking at their impact after graduation.   

Former Denver volleyball student-athlete Faimie Kingsley had a four-year career for the record books from 2009-12. Block parties were a regular occurrence during Kingsley's career, and the former Pio still has four single-game performances in the top 10 in total blocks in Denver's record book. Kingsley also has the top two single-season block performances, putting an end to 180 attacks in 2012 and 177 attacks in 2011. Kingsley's DU career record in blocks sits at 492.

Kingsley looks back on her DU career fondly when remembering her favorite times and the people that impacted the memories of her favorite moments as a Pioneer.

"My favorite memories include winning hard fought games, bouncing back from tough losses, playing a tournament in the Pentagon, getting myself back to playing shape post-surgery...twice, spending preseasons at TriDelt, pranking Beth Kuwata, getting recruits to say "yes!" to what could be the best four years of their lives, and celebrating my and Lyndi Johnson's career on senior night," Kingsley said. "My absolute and indisputable most cherished memory is seeing my dad in the stands cheering me on during my last game as a senior. Looking up at him beaming with pride at seeing the culmination of four years of hard work and growth is a sight I'll never forget." 

Kingsley is currently serving as the Assistant Director of Admission at the Cate School, headquartered just outside of Santa Barbara. After graduating from the Hotchkiss School (coeducational prep school in Lakeville, Conn.) in 2009, Kingsley received her undergraduate degree in marketing at DU. Following graduation, Kingsley signed a contract to play professional volleyball in Poland. Kingsley followed up her season professionally by taking an assistant coaching job in her home state of New York at Columbia University. After three seasons as an assistant, Kingsley returned to school to pursue a Master's in Sport Management from the University of Florida.

While earning her Master's, Kingsley kept her passion for coaching, taking a high school job at Trevor Day School and coaching club volleyball with New York City Juniors. In the present day, and in addition to her current admission role at the Cate School, Kingsley also enjoys her role as an advisor, schoolhouse dorm parent and two-sport coach.

Kingsley's award resume includes being a recipient of the National Association of Collegiate Director of Athletics (NACDA) John McLendon Minority Scholarship, earning the Sportswomen of Colorado Perseverance Award in 2013 and being recognized as a nominee for the 2012 Senior CLASS Award. During her Denver career, Kingsley was an executive board member for Denver's Student-Athlete Advisory Council, while also serving as the University's representative for the Sun Belt Conference and Western Athletic Conference. In the community, Kingsley volunteered with the Inspiring Young Minds Organization, a non-profit inspiring excellence and achievement through education.

Looking back at her four years at the University of Denver, Kingsley will always remember the impact DU had on her life.

"I am so appreciative of my time at DU," Kingsley said. "To the day, I still reap the benefits of a DU education and athletic experience. On and off the court, I learned how to improve my work ethic, how to be resilient, how to navigate group dynamics and how to maximize the wealth of resources I had available to me at any given time. All of this would not have been possible without the support, care and love of not just the team and coaches, but also the athletic training, strength and conditioning and student athlete support service staff. I met some of my best friends and mentors during my time at DU who simply are irreplaceable."  

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COVID Relief Fund: 

University of Denver Athletics and Recreation announced the launch of the 5280 COVID Relief Fund in September, a yearlong campaign with a goal of raising $1 million that will go towards supporting divisional operating costs negatively affected by COVID-19. Click here to donate to the 5280 Together COVID Relief Fund.