Sapp Selected to Lead Michigan Men's Golf Program

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan associate athletics director Megan McCallister announced Tuesday (June 18) the hiring of Andrew Sapp as men's golf coach. Sapp replaces Jim Carras, who is retiring after 20 years as head coach of the men's program. Sapp, who has served as an associate coach at Purdue (1998-2002) and assistant at North Carolina (1993-98), becomes just the eighth head coach in the 82-year history of the U-M program.

Sapp

"We are thrilled to have Andrew come on board and be part of the Michigan family," said director of athletics Bill Martin. "Andrew is one the top young coaches in the country and we look forward to him coaching our program for years to come and bringing successes to Ann Arbor both on and off the golf course."

"It is exciting to be coming to the University of Michigan," said Sapp. "I am very happy with this opportunity and I am ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead. With the athletic and academic tradition at the University, I am looking forward to recruiting and building a competitive and academically successful program. We will compete at the highest level on and off the course, not only in the Big Ten but on the national level as well."

Sapp spent the last four seasons as an associate coach for the men's and women's golf programs at Purdue University (1998-2002). During his tenure with the Boilermakers, he was responsible for recruiting and instruction of both programs, while aiding in organizing team practices, scheduling and team travel. He also assisted in budgeting and fundraising for both programs.

Sapp helped the Boilermaker programs to a combined 12 team titles and 11 individual medalist honors while coaching four All-Americans, four Academic All-Americans and 10 All-Big Ten Conference first team players. In 2001-02 Sapp helped lead the women's program to its third consecutive NCAA Championships appearance, where the Boilermakers finished 16th. After tying for the 2002 NCAA Central Regional title, the men's team made its second straight NCAA appearance and moved up eight spots in the final round to finish seventh.

In 2000-01, Sapp helped the Purdue men's program tie for the NCAA Central Regional title, followed by a 28th-place finish at NCAAs, while the women placed 20th at the national tournament. In 1999-2000 Sapp helped guide the women's program to a ninth-place NCAA Championships finish, and in 1998-99 he helped the men's program qualify for the NCAA Central Regional.

Sapp helped the Boilermakers become one of the elite programs in the Big Ten Conference. The men's program went from 11th at the Big Ten Championships in 1999 to back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Big Ten tournament in 2000 and 2001 and a third-place finish in 2002. Sapp helped coach the women to victory at the 2000 Big Ten Championships and a runner-up finish in 2002. The Boilermaker women also had a pair of fourth-place finishes, in 1999 and 2001.

Prior to coaching at Purdue, Sapp spent five years as an assistant coach for the men's golf program at North Carolina (1993-1998). He assisted in all areas of the UNC program, including teaching, practice, tournament scheduling and recruiting. Along with his duties as assistant golf coach, Sapp served as a golf instructor for the university and was the camp coordinator for the Coaches North Carolina Golf School.

Sapp helped the UNC men's program to 14 team titles and 12 individual medalist honors, and he coached two All-Americans, two Academic All-Americans and nine All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team players. He also coached Mark Wilson to the 1996 Ben Hogan Award, for the outstanding male collegiate golfer.

Sapp helped the Tar Heels to five consecutive NCAA Championships appearances from 1994-98, including four top-20 finishes. In addition to the national success, Sapp helped guide the Tar Heels to two consecutive ACC championships in 1995 and 1996, as well as runner-up finishes in 1994 and 1997.

Sapp, a graduate of North Carolina with a bachelor's degree in business administration, was a member of the Tar Heel golf team from 1989-93 and earned three varsity letters. He received his master's degree in sports administration in 1996 and conducted his master's research in the area of academic enhancement for student-athletes.

Sapp is married to the former Laura Connor.

The Andrew Sapp File

Name: Mark Andrew Sapp
Born: July 24, 1971
High School: Millbrook High School, Raleigh, N.C. (June 1989)
College: North Carolina (Chapel Hill), B.S, business administration (May 1993)
    North Carolina (Chapel Hill), M.A., sports administration (May 1996)
Family: married, Laura (Connor)

Coaching Experience

			Big Ten		NCAA
Season	College	Position	M	W	M	W
2001-02	Purdue	Associate Coach (M/W)	3rd	2nd	7th	16th
2000-01	Purdue	Associate Coach (M/W)	2nd	4th	28th	20th
1999-2000	Purdue	Associate Coach (M/W)	2nd	1st	--	9th
1998-99	Purdue	Associate Coach (M/W)	11th	4th	--	--
Season	College	Position	ACC	NCAA
1997-98	North Carolina	Assistant Coach (M)	4th	25th
1996-97	North Carolina	Assistant Coach (M)	2nd	10th
1995-96	North Carolina	Assistant Coach (M)	1st	16th
1994-95	North Carolina	Assistant Coach (M)	1st	19th
1993-94	North Carolina	Assistant Coach (M)	2nd	11th

Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423

University of Michigan Athletics

Related Videos