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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Capri Grotowski’s “Legacy is Us”
9/11/2022 5:35:00 PM | Women's Beach Volleyball
BOCA RATON, Fla. – To honor and celebrate the life of Capri Starr Hilgendorf Grotowski, family, friends, student-athletes, and co-workers came together Sunday afternoon. The ceremony was held on the Boca Raton campus of Florida Atlantic University where she mentored, loved, and guided the beach volleyball Owls to a No. 8 national ranking and accomplished her goal of leading the team to an appearance in the NCAA National Championship.
Grotowski was remembered by FAU President John Kelly, respected by FAU vice president and director of athletics Brian White, cherished by members of her family, and remembered by life-long friends and student-athletes, all of whom Grotowski embraced as her family. Husband and assistant coach (now FAU head beach volleyball coach) Steve Grotowski encapsulated Capri's spirit by her "giggle."
But the overwhelming message was one of strength, positivity, determination and infectious love. Following the program, guests remained on hand to continue the celebration of Grotowski's life while sharing stories and reminiscing.
Today was a special day celebrating the life and legacy of Coach Capri Grotowski.
— FAU Beach Volleyball (@FAUBeachVB) September 11, 2022
Her tremendous and profound impact on all those she came in contact with will forever be cherished and will always be remembered. pic.twitter.com/TPjfTJYtD5
Grotowski, formerly Capri Hilgendorf, passed away on June 24, 2022. The South Florida native graduated from Lake Worth High School and Keiser University. She was named FAU's head beach volleyball coach in the summer of 2014 and quickly built a program that was perennially ranked in the nation's top 25.
Grotowski helped lead the Owls to their best season in history in 2022, finishing the year with a program-record 23 wins and its first NCAA Championship appearance. As the No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Owls knocked off ninth-seeded Stanford in the opening round, 3-0, marking the team's first NCAA Tournament win. FAU advanced to the Elite Eight and finished the season with its best-ever national ranking, coming in at No. 8 in the AVCA and CBVB national polls.
Grotowski celebrated her 100th career win on April 9, 2021, on her 37th birthday, reaching the milestone with a 3-2 victory over North Florida. Her all-time coaching record stands at 128-86.
Under Grotowski, Erica Brok and Mackenzie Morris earned AVCA First Team All-America status, as well as All-CCSA and AVCA Top-Flight honors. Brok/Morris, already the winningest pair in team history, moved to first and second all-time, respectively in FAU individual wins in 2021. The most decorated FAU beach duo continued the legacy of FAU beach volleyball with Brok becoming the first player to represent FAU on the USA National team at season's end and Morris being recognized as the University's top-female student-athlete at the 2022 FAU Honors Convocation.
Today we celebrated the life of Capri Grotowski.
— #WinningInParadise (@FAUAthletics) September 11, 2022
She has had an incredible impact on the lives around her and brought so much joy to everyone she's met.
We thank everyone who came out to celebrate her life today. pic.twitter.com/X6PNBhJoVT
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
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