BOONE, N.C. - Former Appalachian State men's and women's tennis volunteer assistant coach Craig Schwartz has been named the head men's tennis coach at St. John's University in Queens, N.Y.
Schwartz will head a men's tennis program at St. John's that is 48-29 mark over the past three seasons highlighted by a Big East Conference championship in 2015-16. Schwartz will look to continue the Red Storm's winning ways.
"I would like to thank coach Lake and coach Mosley for letting me be a part of their program," Schwartz mentioned. "It was a great honor to coach alongside them and gain valuable coaching knowledge along the way. I will miss working with the great student-athletes both programs have developed. It's an exciting time for myself and my family, and I am looking forward to hit the ground running at St. John's University in pursuit of a Big East Championship."
Schwartz served a one-year stint last season with both programs, where he helped the men achieve 12 wins and back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the 2011-12 campaign. Also, three Mountaineers in
Scott Webster,
Milo Bargeron, and
Jack Maddocks all received postseason Sun Belt recognition. With the help of Schwartz' development, Webster was the first student-athlete to land on the All-Sun Belt First Team since the Mountaineers joined the conference, while he is the first athlete to garner all-first team honors since Alex Markov in 2011 when App was in the Southern Conference. He's also the first athlete to make both the all-first team singles and doubles team. Bargeron saw a successful season in his debut campaign, as he was first-team doubles and Maddocks tied a career best with 13 wins and was named all-conference for a fourth-straight season.
"Craig was only at App State for one season, but made a big impact on the program," coach Lake stated. "He knows his way around tennis when it comes to development and recruiting. St. John's University has made a terrific decision for the future of their tennis program. He will be missed!"
With the women, Schwartz assisted coach Mosley's debut campaign where
Taylor Bygrave,
Megan Mullen,
Heidi Swope and
Rebecca Morse all turned in their best seasons with career highs in singles play. Bygrave's nine victories were the most by a student-athlete since the 2015 campaign while the tandems of
Gabrielle Wreder/
Megan Mullen and
McKayla Zupan/
Heidi Swope were the first pair of duos to turn in at least eight wins since the 2012 season.
"We couldn't be more happy for Craig!" Mosley said. "He has been a tremendous help in all facets of our program. St. John's is getting a world-class coach, and he will do great things in the Big East. We wish him all the best in his new position!"
