Oestreich chosen to revive Edgewood College men's tennis program
MADISON, Wis. -- It didn't take Edgewood College Athletic Director Al Brisack very long to find a person to lead the newly resurrected Eagle men's tennis program. In fact, the person he was looking for was already sitting in his staff meetings. Ben Oestreich, currently the Edgewood College women's tennis coach, has accepted the additional responsibility of leading the men's tennis program which will return to Edgewood College this fall after a 10-year absence.

"I truly feel Edgewood College has some of the best coaches in the Midwest and Ben is another outstanding addition to this great staff," said Brisack. "Ben overseeing the Edgewood College tennis programs completes our plan to make Edgewood College a College of Choice for tennis student-athletes. He has shown the patience, experience and ability to not only coach both teams to success, but also to succeed at building two programs at once."

Oestreich (pronounced A-strike), a native of Portage, is no stranger to coaching both genders simultaneously. Before arriving at Edgewood College in August of 2009, Oestreich was the head coach of both the men's and women's tennis teams at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa from 2006-07 to 2008-09. Oestreich's last men's team for the Knights won 15 dual matches, tying the program's all-time record. He also coached both teams at Lakeland College before leaving for Wartburg.

"It's very exciting that Edgewood College has made this commitment, because it allows me to be on campus full time and serve as a consistent resource for both our men's and women's tennis teams," said Oestreich. "Our focus on recruitment and retention will be sharper than other schools can provide." Oestreich will also have additional duties in athletic event management.

Last fall, Oestreich led the Edgewood College women's tennis team to their second consecutive NAC Championship and berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Eagles open the spring season on March 14 at the University of Dubuque. They have 12 dual matches scheduled before competing in the NCAA Regional Tournament on May 14-16.

Courtesy of Edgewood College, Sports Information Department, January 22, 2010