POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Vassar College Director of Athletics and Physical Education Michelle Walsh has announced the hiring of Martin Perry as the next head coach of the Brewers women's tennis program. The former head coach at Virginia Wesleyan University, he takes over the helm following the retirement of 42-year head coach Kathy Campbell.
 
"I am very pleased to announce that Marty Perry will be joining the Vassar Athletics family as our Head Women's Tennis Coach," said Walsh.  "Marty has more than 20 years of successful head coaching experience at the collegiate level, highlighted by his recognition as the ITA National Coach of the Year on three separate occasions.  Throughout the interview process, he demonstrated a strong commitment to both honoring and building upon the outstanding accomplishments that Kathy Campbell achieved over her incredible 42-year career at Vassar. We're thrilled that he's joining us."
 
Perry joins the Vassar women's tennis program following a six-year stint at Virginia Wesleyan University, where he helmed both the men's and women's tennis programs for the Marlins. He produced a 50-42 record on the men's side, while guiding the women to a 29-43 mark during his tenure.
 
Among the highlights to his career at VWU came in 2019 as the men's squad finished 15-5 overall, earning their first ITA regional ranking. For his efforts, Perry was named the Men's ODAC Coach of the Year in the 2018-19 season. Additionally, he guided the men's team to a perfect 10-0 mark in league play in his first season, which also earned him ODAC Coach of the Year honors.
 
"First, I would like to thank Michelle Walsh and the search committee for this incredible opportunity to lead the women's tennis program at Vassar.  I am humbled to follow and build upon the successes of Kathy Campbell, one of college tennis' legendary coaches," stated Perry.  "Additionally, it is an honor to the be given the opportunity to be associated with such a distinguished and well-respected liberal arts College.  I would also like thank Joanne Renn and Andrea Hoover-Erbig for all of their support throughout the last six years while leading both tennis programs at Virginia Wesleyan. I'm looking forward to Vassar women's tennis setting a standard of excellence on campus, in the classroom and on the court."
 
Perry, who has been in the coaching arena for the last 21 years, was previously the head coach of the men's tennis program at Longwood University. There, he coached the Lancers to a six-win improvement in just his first year with the team.
 
Prior to Longwood, Perry served two seasons as the head coach of both the men's and women's tennis teams at Bridgewater College. His squads recorded a 54-24 combined mark during his tenure.
 
In addition to coaching at Division I Colgate University, Perry spent an eight-year tenure at Division III power, the University of Chicago. In that span, Perry coached a two-time NCAA Division III women's doubles national championship team, a national finalist in singles and eight All-Americans. His women's team made three consecutive trips to the national semifinals from 2009-2011.  In his final year at Chicago, the men finished the season #11 nationally while the women ended up at #4. His players also captured three ITA Small College National titles, two in doubles and one in singles.
 
A three-time Division III National Coach of the Year, Perry had the No. 1 ranked women's tennis recruiting class in 2008 and the No. 3 class on the men's side in 2010 according to tennisrecruiting.net. His first men's recruiting class at the University of Chicago turned a 7-16 team into an 18-9 program making its first NCAA tournament appearance in program history in just one season. His recruiting classes produced the UAA women's tennis Rookie of the Year four-straight years (2006-09) while Chicago claimed its first, and only, male Rookie of the Year in 2008.
 
Perry started his coaching career serving as the Assistant Coach of the men's team at The College of William & Mary from 1997-2001. He is certified through the Professional Tennis Registry, holding a professional rating since 1994, and is a USTA High Performance Coach.  He also just finished serving a four year stint on the NCAA Division III men's tennis committee in 2020.