GREENVILLE, Pa. (Feb. 17, 2010) – Andrew Gannon has been tabbed to revive the Thiel College men’s and women’s tennis programs, Director of Athletics Jack Leipheimer announced Wednesday morning.
“We are very excited to welcome Andrew Gannon and his wife Ashley to our Thiel family,” said Leipheimer. “Andrew possess all the qualities we were looking for in a head men's & women's tennis coach; he has extensive experience on the Division III level, believes wholeheartedly in its philosophy, and has demonstrated a strong commitment to student-athletes’ development in the classroom, as well as on the tennis courts. “
“I am confident Andrew will be a strong asset to our athletic department and Thiel College in general.”
Before arriving in Greenville, Gannon served six years as head tennis coach at Austin (Texas) College, his alma mater. While at Austin, Gannon served on the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Tennis committee from 2006 to 2008, was the president of the Student Athlete Advisory Council and was named the America Southwest Conference’s Women’s Tennis Coach of the Year.
“I am extremely excited to have been given the opportunity to revive the Tomcat tennis programs,” said Gannon. “I am looking forward to the challenges of building up two new programs and am excited for our student-athletes who have the opportunity to create a new direction and new traditions for the Tomcat tennis teams. I know that with the support of the the Thiel student body, faculty and staff and the College adminstration Thiel tennis has the opportunity to be great."
“I want to thank Jack Leipheimer, President [Troy] VanAken and everyone involved in the hiring process for this opportunity. Ashley and I are so excited to become part of the Thiel College community.”
He is a United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) Level II professional and has been a member of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) organization since Sept. 2000. Gannon also holds a membership with the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.
Prior to his appointment at Austin, Gannon served stints as a professional at Four Seasons Tennis Club in Sherman, Texas and Green Tree Tennis Club in San Antonio, Texas.
As an undergraduate at Austin, Gannon was a standout tennis player for the Kangaroos, earning team MVP honors as senior in 2004, in addition to being named second-team American Southwest Conference All-East Division.