ANGOLA, Ind.— Trine University has named Erin Kolar head coach of the men's tennis team, the school's athletic department announced today.
With the addition of men's tennis head coaching duties, Kolar has assumed the lead of both tennis programs at Trine. Kolar initially joined the Thunder tennis programs as an assistant coach in the spring of 2015 before being promoted to head coach of the women's team prior to the 2015-16 season. Kolar is the only woman to head a tennis program in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and one of a small number of women to serve as a men's tennis head coach in the NCAA.
"My vision for the student-athletes is to 'make a difference' — on the court, in the classroom and wherever they are present, and to carry that mentality with them after college into their job, their family and their life," said Kolar. "I'm looking forward to continuing my role as women's coach, but I am also looking forward to my role as men's coach. I think the approach to practices and match play will differ slightly, but one thing will remain constant; I want them to 'make a difference.' "
Kolar brings a high level of enthusiasm for tennis and a strong instruction and playing pedigree to the Trine tennis programs. She was a four-time All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference performer at Northwood University and was nationally ranked in both singles and doubles play.
Upon graduating, Kolar competed in local US Tennis Association tournaments and competed for European clubs in The Czech Republic and Germany. She has been a certified USPTA instructor since 2000.
A native of Union City, Michigan, Kolar graduated from Northwood University in 2000 with a B.A. in marketing and management. She is married to Marek Kolar, a professor in the Ketner School of Business at Trine. The Kolars have two children, Mikaela and Evan.