Al Wermer

Now in his 25th year directing Toledo men's tennis, "Coach Al" has made winning a habit.

Wermer has guided the Rockets to many successful seasons, highlighted by the 2010-11 team that registered a program-best 24 wins and the 2013-14 squad earning a No. 2 seed in the MAC Championships.

Wermer is the winningest coach in program history with 257 victories and has coached 27 Rockets to All-MAC honors. Wermer guided Stjepan Sisko to three-straight MAC Player of the Year awards from 2013-15 and 27 of his Toledo players have earned All-MAC honors. In the classroom, the Rockets under Wermer have earned 18 Academic All-MAC awards and 11 Academic All-MAC Honorable Mentions.

Nearly all of Coach Al's graduates either work in tennis, coaching or have gained a masters or doctorate degree. Many have played professionally, represented their country in the Davis Cup, or gained an ATP ranking.

Coach Al is a nationally respected coach. He has served many terms as Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division I Midwest Men's Regional Chairman and the ITA National Division I Operating Committee, developing policy for college tennis.

Wermer is a regular speaker at national and regional tennis coaches' conventions. He’s been USPTA Midwest College Coach of the Year and also received the ITA Midwest Community Service Award. He has two instructional videos on the market: "Fearless and Focused! Doubles Drills" and "Get Better Today! Singles Drills."

Coach Al: "Our modern player development scheme and incredible schedule prepares the guys for tennis and life beyond college. We combine old-school work ethic with unique, new-school training methods."

Coach Al has also dramatically enhanced facilities and community engagement, making Rocket Tennis relevant on campus and in the community.

A graduate of Capital University with a degree in physical education, he played a season on the pro circuit. Coach Al began his college coaching with the Crusaders in 1992. In 2004, he received his Master of Arts in recreation and leisure studies from Toledo.

Wermer and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 17 years. He enjoys training, biking, volunteering, and traveling.