| David Schumacher |
 | Position:
Head Coach
|
| Alma Mater:
American University
|
|
|
 |
David Schumacher is quickly making his mark
as one of the top coaches in women's college
tennis. Since becoming head coach of the Tulane
women's tennis program, Schumacher has helped
the Green Wave become perhaps the fastest
growing tennis program in the nation, and leading
them to a No. 11 final ranking in 2004.
Schumacher is no stranger to the success of
Tulane tennis. Prior to becoming head coach in
2000, he spent three seasons as an assistant coach
under former Wave mentor Jennifer Melius, taking
a team that had never been ranked to the Top 25.
During his time in New Orleans, he has helped
guide the Wave to five NCAA Tournament appearances,
including a Round of 16 showing in 2004,
three Conference USA titles and seven top five
league finishes. For his efforts, he has been
selected as the Conference USA Coach of the Year
in 2001, 2003 and 2004 as well as Louisiana Coach
of the Year in four successive seasons (2001, `02,
`03 and `04).
Schumacher took over the reins of the Tulane
women's tennis program in 2000 and wasted little
time in pushing the Green Wave toward national
prominence, as the squad finished with a 14-9
record and a third-place showing at the Conference
USA Tournament. It was 2001, however, that
saw Tulane win its first-ever Conference USA
championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament
where the Wave upset No. 16 Texas A&M in
the first round, while Anna Monhartova became
the first Tulane player to earn a berth in the
singles draw of the NCAA Championships.
In 2002, Schumacher coached Maria Ivanov to
Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors as the
Wave cruised to another top three finish at the
league tournament. A year ago, the program
turned another corner. Schumacher led the Wave
to an impressive 20-5 record during the season
and the squad's second Conference USA championship.
The team upset No. 10 Texas in the NCAA
Tournament and claimed the doubles point from
eventual national champion Florida in the second round. Then-freshmen Jenny Kuhn and Julie
Smekodub earned a spot in the NCAA singles and
doubles draws and would become the first All-
Americans in school history. The duo also won the
ITA National Indoor doubles title in the Fall of
2002, giving Tulane its first individual national
title since 1955. Kuhn was named C-USA Player
and Freshman of the Year, and was one of five Wave
players to earn all-conference honors.
As great as 2003 was, it almost paled in
comparison to 2004. The Wave reached the Round
of 16 at the NCAA Tournament and finished the
year ranked 11th thanks to a gaudy 27-2 record.
Kuhn repeated as Conference USA Player of the
Year and was one of six Wave players named to
the all-conference teams. Tulane won its second
straight Conference USA championship, and
third in four seasons.
Schumacher's players have also fared well in
the classroom. Several team members have
earned National Scholar-Athlete recognition from
the ITA. The team as a whole
has also been recognized for its
academic accomplishments by
the ITA.
Schumacher played for the
Green Wave under the legendary
Emmet Pare from 1971-73,
before transferring to American
University following the
Frenchman's death. After his
collegiate playing days,
Schumacher continued to
remain active in the competitive
tennis circuit. He competed in more than 50
satellite professional tournaments in Europe and
the United States from 1976-1993. Most recently,
he was ranked No. 3 nationally in the U.S. Men's
40's singles.
He graduated magna cum laude from American
University in 1976, earning departmental honors
in history and literature, before graduating in the
top third of his class and earning his Juris Doctorate from LSU
in 1979.
While practicing
general civil
litgation and
appellate law for
the next 18 years,
Schumacher
coached many of
the top juniors in
the New Orleans
area.
Schumacher and his wife, Ann, have two
children, Katie and William. Schumacher's
maternal grandfather is a legendary figure in
Tulane athletics. Charles "Peggy" Flournoy was
Tulane's first All-American in football, earning the
honor in 1926. Flournoy was also named the Most
Valuable Player in America, winning the award
that is now recognized as the Heisman Trophy.
SCHEDULE
ROSTER
NEWS
