Just one year into the rebuilding effort of the Portland State tennis program, head coach Steven Ascher has resigned to take a similar position at Big Sky Conference rival Montana. After being hired in 2006 to resurrect the tennis program that was discontinued in 2002, Ascher recruited all of the current Vikings players during 2006, and coached the men’s and women’s teams last season.
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Ascher out as tennis coach
Just one year into the rebuilding effort of the Portland State tennis program, head coach Steven Ascher has resigned to take a similar position at Big Sky Conference rival Montana.
After being hired in 2006 to resurrect the tennis program that was discontinued in 2002, Ascher recruited all of the current Vikings players during 2006, and coached the men’s and women’s teams last season.
As expected his teams struggled, the men’s record was 5-19 (1-7 BSC) and the women were 6-17 (2-6 BSC).
But Ascher seemed optimistic heading into the off-season knowing that he would have more time to develop his team, particularly the women’s squad whose roster was composed entirely of freshmen last season.
Ascher becomes the fifth coach in less than two years to leave Portland State for another university and the second this summer after softball coach Amy Hayes resigned to take the head position at Bradley University in Illinois.
At Montana, Ascher will be the head coach of the women’s tennis team.
Box
Steven Ascher Portland State tennis record
Men’s Tennis5-19, 1-7 Big Sky Play
Women’s Tennis6-17, 2-6 Big Sky Play
