University of Richmond Athletics
The Wesselink File
12/05/2007 | Women's Tennis
Dec. 5, 2007
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - In just six years of Atlantic 10 competition, Wesselink has earned five Coach of the Year honors after leading the Spiders to five conference championships (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007). Additionally, Wesselink has led Richmond to the NCAA Championships seven times in the past 11 years.
Since his arrival at Richmond, the Spiders have won almost 60 percent of their matches, owning a 220-151 mark in his 18 years. He has been instrumental in leading Richmond's rise to prominence, totaling double-digit wins in 11 of the past 14 seasons, including consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 1997 and 1998 and 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. In addition, Richmond captured the ITA East Region fall team title in October 1995.
As the 1997 CAA Coach of the Year, Wesselink guided Richmond's No. 1 doubles tandem of Lesia Bilak and Bridget Merrick to a national ranking of ninth. As one of the top 32 pairs in the country, the duo qualified for the NCAA Doubles Championship.
Prior to coming to Richmond, he served as an assistant coach at Harvard University where he helped the Crimson capture three Ivy League championships. During his tenure, five Harvard players garnered All-American recognition. One of the most well-respected coaches in the tennis community, Wesselink served as chairmen of the 83-team ITA Division I Eastern Regional Committee in 1993.
Wesselink and his wife, Shanan Raines, a neuropsychologist with a private practice, reside in Richmond with their two children, Isaak, age 13, and Paige, 10.
COACHING HIGHLIGHTS *Five-Time A-10 Coach of the Year *Four Straight A-10 Championships *Four Straight NCAA Appearances
UP CLOSE WITH Mark Wesselink Hobbies: Urban hang gliding and cliff diving (kidding), ping pong and taking the Jeep to the mountains and beach Favorite Snack: Nesquik and blueberries Favorite Athletes: Arthur Ashe, Hank Aaron, Kim Clijsters, Roger Federer
Favorite Actors: Kevin Spacey, Paul Newman, Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington Favorite Actresses: Uma Thurman, Charlize Theron, Kate Beckinsale, Scarlett Johansson Favorite Movies: Cool Hand Luke, The Wedding Crashers, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Rear Window, Michael Favorite Book: "Sacred Hoops", "Seabiscuit" and "A Confederacy of Dunces" Favorite Vacation Spot: Tortola, British Virgin Islands My greatest accomplishments are: My son and daughter, Isaak and Paige My greatest challenges are: My son and daughter, Isaak and Paige If I were not a coach, I would be: An astronaut