KALAMAZOO, Mich. - After 33 years, 15 Mid-American Conference championship and more than 500 wins under her belt, Western Michigan head women's tennis coach Betsy Kuhle announced today that she will conclude her legendary career at the end of the 2015 season.
In addition to Kuhle's retirement, WMU Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard announced that longtime assistant and associate head coach Ryan Tomlinson, an integral part of the many successes of the Bronco women's tennis program over the course of 10 years, will be named Kuhle's successor as head coach of the program starting in the 2015-16 season.
“Betsy has left an indelible mark on Western Michigan University thanks to her tireless contributions over 33 years as a coach, leader, and mentor to so many people,” said Beauregard. “Her dedication, sacrifice and hard work made our Bronco program the one that all others aspired to match. I can't think of anyone that better represents everything that a Bronco should be.”
“I wish her nothing but the very best in her retirement, and I know that the program will be in great hands with Ryan, who embodies that same Bronco spirit that Betsy has always shown,” said Beauregard.
A 2006 inductee into the Western Michigan Athletics Hall of Fame, Kuhle is one of just two coaches of any sport in WMU history to record 500 career wins, and is one of just there active coaches of any sport in the MAC to top the 500-win plateau. A seven-time MAC Coach of the Year, she has led the Broncos to 11 MAC regular season championships, four MAC Tournament championships and four NCAA Tournament appearances. Kuhle has coached three MAC Players of the Year, five MAC Freshmen of the Year, and five fellow WMU Athletics Hall of Famers.
“I want to thank Western Michigan University, Kathy Beauregard and especially the student-athletes I've had the privilege of coaching for all they have done to make my career so very special,” said Kuhle. “I'm more than thrilled that Ryan Tomlinson will be taking over this program. WMU and the current student-athletes are very lucky to have a true Bronco like Ryan. I have no doubt that the winning tradition of this program will continue!”
Tomlinson has served as an assistant on the Bronco women's tennis team since 2003, first holding the role of assistant coach from 2003-09 and again from 2013-14 followed by his current role of associate head coach. A key part of the Broncos' dominance during the decade of the 2000's, Tomlinson helped lead WMU to four straight MAC regular season championships from 2005-08 and MAC Tournament titles in 2006 and 2007. A former student-athlete himself, Tomlinson finished his four-year career on the Bronco men's tennis team with 179 victories and a program-record 88 doubles wins with teammate Steve Pillon.
“I would like to thank Dr. John Dunn and Kathy Beauregard for allowing me the opportunity to carry on the tradition of excellence at Western Michigan,” said Tomlinson. “I would also like to thank my wife Lori as well as my sons Ty and Graydon for their support as my responsibilities increase.
“Most of all, though, I would like to thank my mentor and good friend Betsy Kuhle for her belief in me to lead the Bronco tennis program into the future,” said Tomlinson. “Words cannot express what she means to me, to Bronco tennis, and to this entire community.”
