Men's tennis will return as a varsity sport at UDM beginning in the fall of 2008, and the Titan athletic department today announced the hiring of Grant Asher as head coach of the team. Asher currently works as a tennis professional in the area, and he will also start immediately as an assistant coach for the Detroit women's team.

Asher teaches professionally at Franklin Athletic Club, the current indoor home for the Titan women's team and future home of the UDM men's team. He also spent the past seven seasons as head coach for Brother Rice High School in Birmingham. Prior to that, Asher had served as Director of Tennis at Court One Athletic Clubs in Okemos.

Asher played Number 1 singles and doubles for four years at Michigan State before graduating in 1992. He was named the team's MVP for four consecutive years and earned the All-Big Ten Award. Following his collegiate playing days, Asher spent two years on the pro circuit, playing throughout the United States, Mexico and Europe.

"Grant was clearly the best fit for the University and our athletic department, and for many reasons," commented Daron Montgomery, UDM's senior associate athletic director and head women's tennis coach. "He brings a wealth of playing, coaching and teaching expertise, along with an enthusiasm for the sport of tennis, to UDM. I know Grant will do everything he can to strengthen our women's team while building a successful men's program in the years ahead."

Asher will begin his new duties at UDM immediately. As announced by athletic director Keri Gaither in September, next season will mark the first for men's tennis at UDM since the sport's elimination in 1995. The team will compete in the Horizon League like its women's counterparts.

"I'm very excited to be back involved in college athletics," Asher said. "I will be honored to represent University of Detroit Mercy as head men's and assistant women's tennis coach. I know success comes from hard work and preparation, and I look forward to the battles and challenges that lie ahead."

The 38-year old Asher currently resides in Huntington Woods with his wife, Katie O'Connor, a senior attorney at Butzel Long in Detroit. The couple has three-year-old twins, Colin and Payton.