POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (July 10, 2017) – Vassar College Director of Athletics and Physical Education Michelle Walsh recently announced that David Ames will have his interim tag removed, as he was named as the head men's and women's squash coach on a permanent basis.
 
"I'm pleased to announce that we're elevating David from his interim position to the Head Coach for Men's & Women's Squash here at Vassar College," said Walsh. "David joined our program last year just prior to the start of practices and did an excellent job of leading both teams.  We're looking forward to the team continuing to improve under his tenure."
 
Ames served as the interim head coach of both teams last season, as the women's program had its best season since the 2008-09 season. The Brewer women went 11-6 last season, picking up big wins over Mount Holyoke College, Colgate University, Fordham University, Connecticut College and Haverford College.
 
The men's program chalked up five victories as the program, starting the season 4-0, which was its best start to a season since the 1993-94 campaign. Graduating senior Vincent Mencotti went 12-7 at the No. 1 position under the direction of Ames, while Viraj Nadkarni picked up Liberty League Rookie of the Week accolades once during his freshman campaign.
 
"Both teams made significant improvements from the prior year, it was a great year for us on both the men's and women's sides, on and off the court," said Ames. "My vision is for Vassar to become a desirable destination for high school squash players."
 
Ames came to Vassar with nearly 20 years of coaching experience, having spent time from October 1993 through March 2013 at nearby Bard College. During his first 10 seasons with the Raptors, Ames served as the assistant coach before being elevated to the head coach in October 2004.
 
Ames would serve as the head mentor for the Raptors from 2004 until March 2013, where he was responsible for all coaching, recruiting and administrative duties of the squash program. Before coaching at Bard, Ames was a graduate of the College, as he helped start the program at Bard while working on his undergraduate degree.