MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Wesleyan University Director of Athletics Mike Whalen today announced the hiring of Roland Thornqvist as the new head coach of the Cardinals' men's tennis program. Thornqvist, a four-time national championship coach and longtime leader at the University of Florida, brings decades of experience and a reputation for developing championship-caliber teams while prioritizing academic and personal growth.
"Roland Thornqvist is one of the most respected coaches in college tennis, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Wesleyan," said Whalen. "His proven ability to build nationally competitive programs, coupled with his deep commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes, makes him an ideal fit for our community. This is an exciting day for Wesleyan tennis, and I know our alumni, student-athletes, and recruits will feel the impact of his leadership immediately."
Thornqvist compiled an extraordinary coaching record during his 22-year tenure at Florida, where he guided the women's program to four NCAA Championships (2003, 2011, 2012, 2017) and produced dozens of All-Americans and Academic All-SEC honorees. Prior to Florida, he served as head coach at Kansas and North Carolina, achieving national recognition at both institutions.
"I am honored to join the Wesleyan community and lead the men's tennis program," said Thornqvist. "What excites me most is the University's deep commitment to pairing academic excellence with athletic achievement. I look forward to building a culture where our student-athletes grow not only as competitors but also as scholars and leaders. Wesleyan has all the ingredients to compete at the highest level of Division III, and I can't wait to get started."
Wesleyan Athletics also received strong words of praise for the hire from two of the most respected voices in collegiate athletics:
"Congratulations to Wesleyan University on their hire of Roland Thornqvist to be their men's tennis coach. He is fully committed to academic and athletic excellence and supports his student-athletes both on the court and in the classroom. His numerous coaching accomplishments at the University of Florida speak for themselves. But most importantly they were all achieved with class and integrity. As good of a coach as Roland is, he is an even better person. He will be a tremendous asset to the Wesleyan community. A home run hire in my opinion." – Jeremy Foley, Former Director of Athletics, University of Florida
"As a Wesleyan alum, I've followed Mike Whalen's leadership of Cardinal Athletics closely and have great respect for his track record of hiring outstanding coaches. Now, as the head football coach at North Carolina, I also know Roland Thornqvist's reputation well through the Tar Heel community. He's long been recognized as a national champion, a coach of integrity, and a mentor who develops student-athletes into leaders. This is exactly the kind of hire that strengthens Wesleyan's tradition of excellence. I'm excited to see the impact Roland will make in Middletown." - Bill Belichick '75, Head Football Coach, University of North Carolina
Thornqvist now takes the helm of a Wesleyan men's tennis program that has steadily risen within the competitive New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), one of the nation's premier Division III tennis leagues. His hire signals the Cardinals' continued commitment to excellence on a national stage.
