KERRVILLE, TX  -- Wade Morgan, who was a part of three American Southwest Conference championship teams and was a four time All-ASC performer while at Hardin-Simmons University, was named the new head coach for Schreiner University's women's and men's tennis teams today.  Morgan also served for one year as an assistant coach for HSU Tennis under current head coach Shane Williford.

"We are very excited about having Wade Morgan lead our tennis programs.  Wade is very knowledgeable about the ASC, NCAA Division III and has led a highly successful college and junior career culminating with multiple team championships at HSU," said Ron Macosko, Schreiner University's Director of Athletics.  "We have lofty goals for both of our programs and Wade knows first hand, both as a player and coach, what it takes to be a team champion and will instill those attributes into both teams."

After an accomplished junior tennis career in Odessa, TX and at Permian High School, Morgan made an immediate impact at Hardin-Simmons and helped the team to the 2005 ASC Championship.  He was named to his first All ASC-Tournament team his freshman year and was All-ASC Second Team.  As a sophomore, he helped the Cowboys repeat as champions and earned All-Tournament and was honorable mention All-ASC.  He also won both the ASC Individual Championship in both singles and doubles in '06.  The 2007 year was more of the same as the Cowboys again won the team title and Morgan was All-ASC Tournament, ASC Individual Singles and Doubles champion and All-ASC.  In 2008, he was named All-ASC Tournament one final time and earned an ITA West Region Singles rank of #20 and a doubles rank of #5.  He was an ITA Southwest Region Doubles Finalist in '07.

During his junior career, he was a state doubles qualifier in UIL 5A as a sophomore and a regional qualifier as a senior.  In his senior year, he held a USTA Boy's 18 ranking in the top 40 and a doubles ranking in the top 5.

Coach Shane Williford said of Morgan's hiring:  "From day one I realized Wade was a worker. The more I bragged on him the harder he worked. Wade was the player that all the other players from other teams would gather around to watch play because he was so well liked. Wade has always been a winner and I have no doubt he will bring that attitude back to the Mountaineers program. He knows what it takes, he has lived in that environment, and he is not afraid to work hard. I believe Schreiner University has made a great hire in Wade and the rest of us in the ASC better get ready, for Wade will build a strong program."

Added McMurry University head tennis coach Mark Hathorn:  "Schreiner University made a great hire with adding Wade Morgan to it's staff as Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach. I am excited for Wade to get this opportunity. I feel he has the tools to take Schreiner back to where they once were in the conference.  I have known Wade first as he competed for Permian High School and then coaching against him as he played at Hardin-Simmons University. He always competed with class, intensity and integrity. He will bring the same type of atmosphere to Schreiner. I look forward to seeing what he can do and also competing against him as a coach."

Morgan earned a Master of Arts degree in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation from Abilene Christian University in 2010 and earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Political Science from HSU in 2008.

He also worked as a teaching professional at Rose Park Tennis Center in Abilene, TX before completing his master's degree.

-Courtesy Schreiner University Sports Information Department