United States Air Force Academy Men's Tennis

Oosterhous   Position: Head Coach Alma Mater: USAFA, 1993 Email Coach Oosterhous Dan Oosterhous enters his 8 season as the head coach of the mens tennis team.  He has led the Falcons to a 72-95 career record, including a 4-2 career margin over service-academy rival Army West Point. In the 2015-16 season, Oosterhous team finished with a 7-18 record but rallied at the end of the season to earn two conference wins by beating Fresno St and Nevada for the Academys first-ever victories over these conference opponents.  The two wins in conference ties the schools best-ever record in Mountain West conference play along with the 2003 Air Force team.  Team captain, Jack McCullers highlighted the Falcons season with All-Conference honors in singles and doubles partnering with freshman Tadhg Collins.  McCullers also received the Mountain Region Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship and Leadership Award.  In 2016, the Falcons set home crowd attendance records, finishing in the top 25 in the nation and became the first team in the Mountain West with free live-streaming video for all indoor home matches. Oosterhous career coaching highlights include a win over #49 nationally-ranked BYU in 2013 and the highest-ever team ranking for the Air Force Academy at #63 in Feb 2013.  He has coached 5 players to all-conference honors including Lance Wilhelm (13), Grant Taylor (15), Jack McCullers (16), Lucas Fumagalli (17) and Tadhg Collins (19).  In the 2014 season, Lance Wilhelm had 4 wins over nationally-ranked players and finished the season ranked 78th, the second-highest ever for an Academy tennis player. Under Oosterhous leadership, the Falcons have been impressive off the court as well.  Six players have earned All-Academic Mountain West honors, Brett Rodgers (10), Sam Barnes (13), Alex Grubbs (14), Steven Young (14), Lucas Fumagalli (17), and Nicholas Carpenter (17).  In addition, three of his players have been named MW Scholar-Athletes, Mike Tope (12), Fumagalli, and Carpenter. In 2016, Lucas Fumagalli became the Air Force tennis first-ever 2-time Academic All-American. Following a competition in the 2013 season, Oosterhous suffered two brain stem strokes that resulted in a substantial loss of function in his left arm and leg.  Since then, Oosterhous has made significant strides in his recovery, owing much to the support of his three children, Emma (19), Anna (17) and Andrew (15) and the rehabilitative power of competition.  Oosterhous has fueled his recovery through opportunities in adaptive sports as a member of the 2014 Air Force Wounded Warrior team and a member of the 2014 and 2016 USA Invictus Games team.  Oosterhous has earned medals in swimming at the 2014 Warrior Games and in cycling at the 2016 Invictus Games.  In 2014, he received USAFAs General Mal Wakin Character and Leadership Award for his inspirational work with cadets and resiliency during recovery.  Oosterhous, a native of Texarkana, Texas, graduated from USAFA in 1993 and remains one of the best tennis players in the teams history.  Oosterhous ranks fifth on the all-time list for most wins at #1 singles and second on the career list at #1 doubles.  He was selected to the all-conference team all four years and received the teams Most Valuable Player award three times.  During his 21-year Air Force career, Oosterhous accumulated over 3,100 hours as an instructor pilot in three aircraft: the C-5, C-21 and T-53.