Ecarma Signs New Five-Year Contract
July 08, 2004 | Men's Tennis
July 8, 2004
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- - LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- University of Louisville men's tennis coach Rex Ecarma has signed a new contract, ensuring his presence with the Cardinals until June of 2009.
"We're very excited about everything that's happening in men's tennis," said U of L Associate Athletic Director, Julie Hermann. "Coach Ecarma is an outstanding leader of our program and continues to take us to the next level. It was very important to us to show our commitment to him as he has been so dedicated to the University and the program.""
The Cardinals finished the 2004 season with a 19-9 record, an at-large bid to the NCAA regionals and is currently in the midst of a 28-match home winning streak. Ecarma has led the Cardinals to three NCAA appearances since 1998 and under his guidance, the team was ranked as high as No. 30 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association national rankings. Several singles players and doubles teams have also been ranked among the top in the nation in Ecarma's 14-year career. The 2000 Conference USA Coach of the Year led Louisville to a league championship in 2000 and runner-up finish in 1998.
After playing for the Cardinals from 1983-87, Ecarma was named head coach in 1990. With 200 wins, he is the winningest men's tennis coach in program history. Ecarma is among elite company, being one of ten coaches in the nation who has reached 200 NCAA Division I wins before age 40.
"I am enthusiastic about continuing my career at U of L, because of my confidence in the leadership of Tom Jurich and Julie Hermann and my pride and dedication to this university and its tennis supporters," " said Ecarma. "My goal is for the team to make the NCAA tournament an annual event for us and win some Big East Championships along the way."
