Augustus Chosen to Lead Women's Tennis Program
7/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan director of athletics Bill Martin announced today (Thursday, July 6) the hiring of Amanda Augustus as head women's tennis coach. Augustus served as U-M's assistant coach last season under Bitsy Ritt, who retired from coaching after 22 seasons to take an associate athletics director role at the university.
Augustus
"We are thrilled to have Amanda lead our women's tennis program," said Martin. "Her collegiate and professional playing credentials clearly prove her knowledge of the game. We look forward to Amanda taking what is already an accomplished program to new heights."
"I am very excited to step into this role and guide Michigan to new frontiers," said Augustus. "I want to thank Bill Martin for giving me this amazing opportunity and appreciate how helpful and supportive the entire athletic department has been in my first year at U-M. I hope to mirror the longevity of Bitsy's respected career."
During her first season on the Michigan coaching staff in 2005-06, Augustus helped guide the Wolverines to trips to the Big Ten Championship final and the NCAA Championship second round. Michigan concluded the year with 17 dual match victories, which tied for the most wins since the 1997 season. U-M's record of 8-2 in the Big Ten was its best since the Wolverines claimed their first and only conference crown with an undefeated mark of 10-0 in 1997.
A former collegiate standout at the University of California from 1996-99, Augustus was a two-time NCAA doubles champion (1998-99) and earned All-America honors in each of her four seasons. During her junior campaign, Augustus advanced to the quarterfinal round at the NCAA Singles Championship. She was named to the All-Pacific-10 Conference team all four years and achieved career-high national rankings of No. 1 in doubles and No. 4 in singles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Augustus served as a team captain for three seasons, leading Cal to NCAA Championship appearances each year. As a senior, Augustus guided the Bears to the NCAA semifinals and a program-best No. 4 final ITA ranking.
A native of Manhattan Beach, Calif., Augustus captured 20 professional titles during her six-year stint on the WTA Tour and achieved career-best world rankings of No. 82 in doubles and No. 304 in singles. She competed in the main draw at all four Grand Slam events, most recently the 2004 Wimbledon Championships. She reached the second round in both the French Open and U.S. Open, and was a semifinalist at the Bank of West Classic.
Prior to her assistant post at Michigan, Augustus served as head coach of the men's and women's tennis programs at Whittier College during the 2004-05 season.
Contact: Marc Ressler (734) 763-4423
