Ecarma Achieves 450th Career Win
February 14, 2018 | Men's Tennis
Men's tennis coach Rex Ecarma recently tallied his 450th career win
As the 2018 season begins to unfold, the University of Louisville men's tennis team continues its trajectory of success that has included 12 NCAA regional appearances, five regional finals, five conference championships and several top 25 team, singles and doubles rankings. The one constant throughout the last 28 seasons has been head coach Rex Ecarma.
On Feb. 9, 2018, the Cardinals defeated Charlotte 7-0 marking Ecarma's 450th career victory. He joins an elite group of coaches at the University of Louisville where he becomes the fifth coach to reach 450 wins at UofL joining John Dromo (golf and men's basketball), Sandy Pearsall (softball), Denny Crum (men's basketball) and Dan McDonnell (baseball).
"When I think of any type of numbers, all I can think of is thanking the players and assistant coaches who have made this possible, and the support staff, Steve Hoelscher, Zac Farrell and administration for all of the support," said Ecarma in a post-match interview.
The Louisville, Ky. native's journey at UofL dates back to the 1984 season when he joined the Cardinals as a freshman. After a stellar playing career, he remains ranked among the program's top 10 in all-time singles and doubles victories. In 1990, three years after his graduation, Ecarma returned to his alma mater and became one of the youngest head coaches NCAA Division I.
Throughout his storied coaching career which includes Coach of the Year accolades in two different conferences (Conference USA – 2000) and the Big East (2006, 2010, 2012), Ecarma has built a well-rounded foundation of success with his players, assistants and the University of Louisville as a whole.
"I think it is remarkable to see Coach Ecarma reach his 450th career win," said Jakob Gustafsson who played for Ecarma from 2003 through 2006 and currently serves as his assistant coach. "It truly shows his consistency of keeping the program at a high level. Both as a player and now as his assistant coach, I have been able to experience his efforts towards this achievement and many more. Coach Ecarma is a great motivator and has for a long time been able to put the men's tennis team on the college tennis map. 450 is an impressive number, but with the drive that Coach Ecarma has, there are many, many more to come."
Current senior Santiago Salazar represents many of Ecarma's players who have called the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center home over the past 28 years as he reflects on the most recent milestone.
"I am so happy for Coach and everything he has accomplished to get to his 450th career win," added 2018 senior Santiago Salazar. "We all know he dedicates his whole life for this team. While it is formidable and not to be overlooked, I see Coach Ecarma's 450th win as a step toward a much bigger milestone. He has always implanted a winning mentality in us players. Along with the tough-but-rewarding practices, hard-working attitude and endless motivation, Coach Ecarma has always led the team to success and passing that 450th career win just reassures that. We are all looking forward for more!"
After recently becoming one of 18 active NCAA Division I head coach with more than 400 career wins, Ecarma shows no sign of slowing down.
"I have so much fun working at UofL," said Ecarma. "The tennis players are talented and have a great sense of humor. My colleagues, staff and other head coaches are among my very best friends. The administrators are passionate about all the sports programs. I thank God I am a part of it and believe that our future is really bright."
On Feb. 9, 2018, the Cardinals defeated Charlotte 7-0 marking Ecarma's 450th career victory. He joins an elite group of coaches at the University of Louisville where he becomes the fifth coach to reach 450 wins at UofL joining John Dromo (golf and men's basketball), Sandy Pearsall (softball), Denny Crum (men's basketball) and Dan McDonnell (baseball).
"When I think of any type of numbers, all I can think of is thanking the players and assistant coaches who have made this possible, and the support staff, Steve Hoelscher, Zac Farrell and administration for all of the support," said Ecarma in a post-match interview.
The Louisville, Ky. native's journey at UofL dates back to the 1984 season when he joined the Cardinals as a freshman. After a stellar playing career, he remains ranked among the program's top 10 in all-time singles and doubles victories. In 1990, three years after his graduation, Ecarma returned to his alma mater and became one of the youngest head coaches NCAA Division I.
Throughout his storied coaching career which includes Coach of the Year accolades in two different conferences (Conference USA – 2000) and the Big East (2006, 2010, 2012), Ecarma has built a well-rounded foundation of success with his players, assistants and the University of Louisville as a whole.
"I think it is remarkable to see Coach Ecarma reach his 450th career win," said Jakob Gustafsson who played for Ecarma from 2003 through 2006 and currently serves as his assistant coach. "It truly shows his consistency of keeping the program at a high level. Both as a player and now as his assistant coach, I have been able to experience his efforts towards this achievement and many more. Coach Ecarma is a great motivator and has for a long time been able to put the men's tennis team on the college tennis map. 450 is an impressive number, but with the drive that Coach Ecarma has, there are many, many more to come."
Current senior Santiago Salazar represents many of Ecarma's players who have called the Bass-Rudd Tennis Center home over the past 28 years as he reflects on the most recent milestone.
"I am so happy for Coach and everything he has accomplished to get to his 450th career win," added 2018 senior Santiago Salazar. "We all know he dedicates his whole life for this team. While it is formidable and not to be overlooked, I see Coach Ecarma's 450th win as a step toward a much bigger milestone. He has always implanted a winning mentality in us players. Along with the tough-but-rewarding practices, hard-working attitude and endless motivation, Coach Ecarma has always led the team to success and passing that 450th career win just reassures that. We are all looking forward for more!"
After recently becoming one of 18 active NCAA Division I head coach with more than 400 career wins, Ecarma shows no sign of slowing down.
"I have so much fun working at UofL," said Ecarma. "The tennis players are talented and have a great sense of humor. My colleagues, staff and other head coaches are among my very best friends. The administrators are passionate about all the sports programs. I thank God I am a part of it and believe that our future is really bright."
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