Wurtzman Joins Eagle Athletics As Director Of Tennis Operations

Ashland University Director of Athletics Al King has announced the addition of Marc Wurtzman as the Eagles' Director of Tennis Operations, and head men's and women's tennis coach.
 
"I'm excited for Marc's arrival," King said. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our tennis program. In talking to him during the interview process, he outlined a number of ideas and concepts we haven't had in our tennis program for a number of years."
 
Said Wurtzman, "I am extremely excited for the opportunity to coach here at Ashland University. I really felt at home during the interview process. Meeting the teams felt very comfortable. Just stepping on the campus three or four weeks ago, it felt like home right away.
 
"I feel very blessed."
 
Wurtzman most recently has worked in Columbus, Ohio, at the Olympic Indoor Tennis Club as head coach of numerous United States Tennis Association (USTA) district-qualifying adult teams, assistant professional for all junior programs, and a private coach for adult and elite junior players, as well as director of the Wilson Tennis Camp.
 
From 2014-23, Wurtzman was a high school and middle school tennis coach at Columbus Academy – serving as head girls varsity coach (2019-23), head boys varsity coach (2017-23) and head girls middle school coach (2014-18).
 
His previous collegiate tennis coaching experience came as the head men's coach at Capital from 2016-17, assistant men's coach at Ohio State from 2002-05, assistant men's coach at Wisconsin from 2000-02, and assistant men's and women's coach at Kenyon from 1999-2000.
 
"Coaching's one of my passions in life," Wurtzman said, "so I felt, to work with student-athletes and trying to develop them, both on and off the court and make them better people from start to finish, that's something I really enjoy doing."
 
"Marc's anxious to get back into college coaching, and I think he's someone who can grow our program and try some different things," King said. "I think his energy and enthusiasm will rub off on our student-athletes. I believe he's what we need in providing a new direction for tennis at Ashland."
 
Wurtzman takes over for Eric Gibson, who was named the head men's and women's tennis coach at NCAA Division III Juniata College at the end of October.
 
During the non-championship fall season, the Ashland men were 1-3, and the AU women went 0-3. The Eagles will start the championship spring season on Jan. 31 in nearby Wooster – the women against Indiana, Pa., and the men vs. Daemen.
 
"My personal goal for the teams is to get as competitive as possible in the G-MAC (Great Midwest Athletic Conference)," Wurtzman said. "Our end-all, be-all goal, as soon as possible, is to be winning G-MAC titles in both men's and women's…and keep elevating from there.
 
"I think there's a lot of talent with the current teams, and I'm looking forward to recruiting new student-athletes, as well."