Jane Fulmer Knuth is leaving some big shoes to fill. The First Academy assistant athletic director will retire from service on July 29. 

Faith-based Academy

According to its website, the First Academy is a "Christ-centered, college preparatory school." 

In a report with Orange Observer, Knuth has served as the faith-based academy's assistant athletic director for 23 years. 

Gift of Retirement

She reported that she would have served for 25 years until her husband, Brad Knuth, gave her a surprise gift. 

She shared that her husband said she could retire in 2022. After reflecting on it, she decided to grab the opportunity. 

Knuth reflected on her career at First Academy and concluded that it was her calling to be its athletic director. 

Passion for Sports

At a young age, she developed a passion for sports. She admitted that it was challenging to get ahead in a world that was once viewed as "only for the boys." 

Growing up, she enjoyed watching her brother, Pete Fulmer, play baseball. Her brother had already passed away. 

Sports was something she always loved. Knuth said that she always loved sports and that as a kid, she would look forward to watching her brother play. 

She was 10 years old when she became part of the West Orange Girls Club. Knuth played softball with her other teammates. 

Her love of the game would soon lead her to score a scholarship with the University of Florida. 

It was only when she began coaching at Santa Fe College in Gainesville that she realized that she loved working with children. 

She married her husband in 1984. The couple has two children: Kori and Bryce.

God's Timing 

Knuth explained that her career at the First Academy was a 'God's timing' sort of thing.

She said that coaching was all about the kids and that one had to have a passion for bringing out the best in people to be good at it. 

It was her being part of the academy that amplified her love of the game and coaching. 

Coach to Help Others

In her career with The First Academy, she was a coach for volleyball, basketball, and softball. She also taught physical education classes. 

She told the news outlet that it was her stint as an assistant coach that made her enjoy her career the most. 

Knuth explained that she thrived on making people's lives easier for them.

She said that when she was an assistant coach, she wanted to do the things head coaches did not want to spend much time doing. 

She admitted that it was not easy to get girls to join the sports program at first. In the end, some signed up and would soon play the game at a collegiate level. 

Knuth said she plans to focus on her grandchildren once she retires. She added that she is excited to spend time with them in the summer. 

The family will be traveling to Hawaii in February and plan to make more travel plans soon. 

She told the news outlet that she does not have a bucket list in mind because she is already content with her life.

The family has a farming business in Nebraska, so she might focus on that. 

When asked what sort of legacy she wishes to leave behind, she said that she hopes people see her as a person of Christ when they remember her. 

More from Crossmap: Catholics fear attacks against pro-life churches, pregnancy centers