Donna Fishter joined the UCF women[apos]s soccer coaching staff as an assistant in February 2000. UCF has a legacy of impressive goalkeepers and Fishter continues to make that happen.
At the conclusion of her 13th season in 2012, the Knights have posted 121 total shutouts as she has mentored some of the top keepers in school history, including Jessica Kuhlman, Jennifer Manis and All-American Aline Reis.
In 2012, Fishter helped guide the Knights to their first Conference USA Tournament title and their highest national ranking (No. 6) in two decades. The team broke the school and Conference USA record for shutouts (15) as the defense ranked among the top-five nationally for goals-against average and shutout percentage. Starting goalkeeper Lianne Maldonado[apos]s .564 goals-against average ranked 11th nationally, good enough for fourth in school history on the single-season record list. For her efforts, Maldonado was recognized on the C-USA All-Conference Third Team.
In 2011, four-year starter Aline Reis led UCF to an NCAA Elite Eight berth for the first time since 1987. The season concluded with Reis receiving an All-Region selection, Scholar All-America honors and a nominee for the Lowe[apos]s Senior Class award. In 2010, Reis was selected to the All-C-USA First Team and All-Region Team. In 2009, Fishter[apos]s guidance helped Reis become an NSCAA All-American and a 2009 Hermann Trophy Watch List member. Reis collected seven shutouts, a 0.95 GAA and 82 saves in 2009 while senior goalkeeper Lynzee Lee was a perfect 5-0-1 in net with a 0.54 GAA and a .864 save percentage. Both players were named C-USA Players of the Week during the year, and Reis again was selected to the All-C-USA First Team. In 2008, Reis was UCF[apos]s first starting freshman keeper since 1995 as she went on to post six shutouts and 107 saves, the fifth-most in school history.
Another top goalkeeper under Fishter[apos]s direction was Jennifer Manis who was a Second-Team All-Conference USA selection and earned a spot on the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Southeast Region third team in 2006. She followed that up in 2007 with 10 shutouts, a 0.87 GAA and 126 saves, the second most in a single-season at UCF. Manis finished her career being named the C-USA Defensive Player of the Year and an NSCAA/adidas Scholar All-American.
Fishter arrived in Orlando in 2000 to lead Jessica Kuhlman in earning First-Team All-Atlantic Sun Conference honors and finishing her career with 19.8 shutouts, good for fifth all-time at UCF.
In addition to coaching the goalkeepers, Fishter is the team travel coordinator and player development/leadership expert. In August 2011, Fishter was certified as part of the John Maxwell Coaching Team. [quote]John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold more than 13 million books. Every year he speaks to Fortune 500 companies, international government leaders, and organizations as diverse as the United States Military Academy at West Point, the National Football League, and ambassadors at the United Nations[quote] (excerpt from Johnmaxwell.com). This coaching team is one-of-a-kind and Fishter is excited to be a John Maxwell Coach and a founding member of his team.
Fishter is a 1995 graduate from Anderson University in Indiana with a degree in graphic design/communications. Fishter competed as a dual sport athlete in soccer and softball, and upon finishing her eligibility, she joined the women[apos]s soccer coaching staff at her alma mater. In October 2012, she was inducted into the Anderson Hall of Fame.
Fishter spent 1997-1999 playing in the United Soccer Leagues women[apos]s division. She started her career with the Indiana Blaze in 1997, joined the Orlando Ladyhawks in 1998, and finished her playing career in 1999 with the Tampa Bay Extreme.
After a one-year stint as an assistant coach at Edgewater High School in Orlando, she served as the head coach at Trinity Prep in 1999.
Fishter does spend time in the classroom at UCF serving as an adjunct instructor primarily teaching for the College of Education (Sports & Fitness majors/minors).Ten months out of the year Fishter assists UCF Head Coach Amanda Cromwell with the administration and operation of Central Florida Soccer Academy. CFSA attracts more than 400 young soccer players each year to its girls summer camps. CFSA provides a positive and challenging environment for players to grow and develop in all aspects of the game.
The final piece to Fishter[apos]s puzzle was put in place more than a decade ago when she founded Sequel Ministries, Inc., a faith based non-profit organization designed to be a resource for those people devoted to following God. Believing that discipleship is key to the growth and existence of the church, Fishter challenges generations to think in new ways and encounter a deeper view of Christ and His Kingdom. Her ministry[apos]s mission is to lead and train generations to apprehend distinct meaning, significance, respect, and purpose.
Currently Fishter is pursuing a master[apos]s degree in Biblical Studies at Reformed Theological Seminary. Deep theological understanding is a priority in her life as well as being well equipped to pass on knowledge and experience to others. Fishter is devoted to being a resource for people and believes that the [quote]church[quote] is a community that walks through life together. Thus, she is a covenant member of Genesis Church in Orlando, which is committed to [quote]rethinking life the way God intended.[quote]At Sunday gatherings, Donna serves on the Guest Relations Team.
Many people inspire Fishter[apos]s life, some of whom are: the Apostle Paul, John Maxwell, Condoleezza Rice, John Wooden, Cal Ripken, Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy.
Fishter currently lives in Orlando with her terrier/schnauzer All-American dog named Condi. Condi spends vacation time at Happy Paws Pet Resort while Fishter is traveling and also trains at Happy Paws for dog agility trials.