Mark Wesselink
University of Richmond head women's tennis coach Mark Wesselink enters his 18th year at the helm of the program. With 12 winning seasons and four NCAA Tournament appearances, Wesselink has built a nationally-competitive program at Richmond.
In just three years of Atlantic 10 competition, Wesselink has earned two Coach of the Year honors after leading the Spiders to a pair of conference championships (2002 & 2004). Additionally, Wesselink has led Richmond to the NCAA Championships four times in the past seven years.
Wesselink reached the 200-career victory plateau in Richmond's 2000 CAA Tournament win over James Madison and currently owns a career record of 243-149 after 18 years.
Since his arrival at Richmond, the Spiders have almost 60 percent of their matches, owning a 183-125 mark in his 15 years. He has been instrumental in leading Richmond's rise to prominence, totaling double-digit win in nine of the past eleven seasons, including consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 1997 and 1998. In addition, Richmond captured the ITA East Region fall team title in October 1995.
As the 1997 CAA Coach of the Year, Wesselink guided Richmond's No. 1 doubles tandem of Lesia Bilak and Bridget Merrick to a national ranking of ninth. As one of the top 32 pairs in the country, the duo qualified for the NCAA Doubles Championship.
Prior to Richmond, Wesselink spent three seasons as the head coach at Drake University and posted a 60-24 mark. Previously, he served as an assistant coach at Harvard University where he helped the Crimson capture three Ivy League championships. During his tenure, five Harvard players garnered All-American recognition.
One of the most well-respected coaches in the tennis community, Wesselink served as chairmen of the 83-team ITA Division I Eastern Regional Committee in 1993.
Wesselink and his wife, Shanan Raines, a neuropsychologist with a private practice, reside in Richmond with their two children, Isaak, age ten, and Paige, seven.
UP CLOSE WITH MARK WESSELINKHobbies: Ping pong, off-roading in my Jeep, camping and going to the beachFavorite Snack: Nesquick and blueberriesFavorite Athletes: Arthur Ashe, Cal Ripken, Jr. and Evonne GoolagongFavorite Actors: Kevin Spacey, Kevin Kline and Paul NewmanFavorite Actresses: Ashley Judd, Annette Benning and Halle BerryFavorite Movies:Silence of the Lambs, Cool Hand Luke, This is Spinal Tap and Young Frankenstein Favorite Book: "Sacred Hoops", "Seabiscuit" and "A Confederacy of Dunes"Favorite Vacation Spot: Tortola, British Virgin Islands My greatest accomplishment is: My son and daughter, Isaak and PaigeMy greatest challenges are: My son and daughter, Isaak and PaigeIf I were not a coach, I would be: A teacher, because I like to work with students and would get summers off.
