After 37 years at the helm, Pepperdine women’s tennis head coach Gualberto Escudero will be stepping down after the 2014 season.
Second all-time in wins for a women’s tennis head coach, Escudero’s Pepperdine Waves are favored to win their 24th conference championship in 29 seasons this season.
“This year, we have a team that is every coach’s dream. They like each other. They fight for each other, support each other, play for each other. On and off the court. It’s a team every coach would love to have,” Escudero said.
He will remain the Waves’ Associate Head Coach and continue to teach physical education courses for Seaver College.
“I am going to be here when the student-athletes I recruited graduate. I will see my players graduate and play in their last matches. It means a lot to me and I think it means a lot to them,” Escudero said.
Amongst all his accolades, Escudero coached 15 student-athletes to All-American status for a combined 35 times along with receiving ITA Regional Coach of the Year three times.
“When I come to Pepperdine every morning, I feel like I am coming home. But I also feel home at home. I’m a lucky man. I have two homes,” Escudero said.
Pepperdine is 16-4 this season and 9-0 in league entering playoffs on April 25th for the semifinals.