Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved.
NEWARK, Del. - - Wilmington University Director of Athletics Linda Van Drie-Andrzjewski has announced the hiring of Brad Rose to become the head coach of it's first women's tennis program. Competition is set to begin fall, 2016.
"What impressed us about Brad was the passion he brings to the coaching profession," Andrzjewski said. "As a former player at West Chester and coach at Camden County College, accompanied with his passion to develop talent, we're looking forward to the skilled and diverse student-athlete he will bring to Wilmington."
Rose joins the Wildcats after reviving the Camden County College women's tennis program over the past two seasons. He helped lead the team to back-to-back appearances in the National Junior College Athlete Association (NJCAA) National Tournament, including a fifth place finish in 2015. The team finished third overall at the NJCAA Region XIX Tennis Tournament in 2014, and placed second in the 2015 NJCAA Region XIX Championship in his second season.
"Wilmington is a great opportunity for me. I played Division II tennis (at West Chester University) and that is the level I want coach. I love that I get to start from scratch and build a program the right way. I want this team to compete and battle for conference championships initially, but ultimately, my goal is to win a NCAA National Championship."
Prior to leading Camden County College, Rose was the boys and girls tennis coach at Haddon Heights High School, starting in 2008. He was named the 2013 Boy's Tennis Coach of the Year after leading the team to the 2013 South Jersey Group 1 Championship.
"Wilmington is like a family. Everyone is very helpful and has been very supportive of starting a new program. I'm extremely motivated to get going. The best part of building a team from the ground up is seeing the maturation of the team. I'm always going to love this first team. There is no better feeling than building a team from scratch and watching them succeed."
Rose played collegiately at Gloucester County Community College and West Chester University. While at Gloucester County, he earned the 1998-99 Region XIX Championship and he was named the Golden Ram's team captain in 2003.
The Wildcats will begin competition next fall, becoming the ninth team to take part in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. The CACC Tournament takes place in late October with the winner claiming the CACC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II East Region Tournament.