Steve Schram named Southern Miss Women's Tennis Head Coach

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert announced the hiring of Steve Schram as the new women's tennis head coach.

"I am delighted that Steve Schram will be leading our women's tennis program," Gilbert said. "His energy and vision, along with his commitment to the development of student-athletes, align with the objectives we embrace at Southern Miss."

Schram was hired as an assistant coach at Barry in August 2016, and over the course of his tenure was responsible for on-court coaching, player development, recruiting and administrative duties.

"I would like to thank Southern Miss for this tremendous opportunity to become the next head tennis coach," Schram said. "This is an opportunity that I've worked hard for and I'm humbled to take over the helm of the women's tennis program. I look forward to working with the student-athletes and continue to elevate the program in all aspects."

In 2018, Schram helped coach Barry to its second straight NCAA Division II national championship after claiming the South Region, Sunshine State Conference Tournament and regular season titles. The Buccaneers went 28-0 to extend their winning streak to 58 consecutive matches. Barry beat West Florida, 5-0, in Surprise, Ariz., to capture the national title. Sonja Larsen and Verena Schmid earned All-American honors and finished the season as the top-ranked doubles team.

Schram was named the 2018 NCAA Division II National Assistant Coach of the Year, in addition to taking home the South Region Assistant Coach of the Year honor for the second straight season.

In his first season with the Buccaneers, Schram helped coach Barry to a 30-0 record and the national championship, defeating Lynn 5-0. The women's tennis team became the first sport at Barry University to go undefeated. Schram coached four All-Americans in 2016-17, including Ana Pain, Sonja Larsen, Zuza Maciejewska and Dasha Salnikova.

Schram spent three years as Nova Southeastern University's head coach. He guided the Sharks to a 46-19 record in three seasons. He coached three All-Americans, 12 Scholar All-Americans and nine All-SSC selections. In 2016, Schram's team won 15 straight matches, which included seven wins over Top 25-ranked teams. The Sharks were ranked as high as No. 4 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll. They finished the 2016 season ranked No. 8 after a 15-5 season.

Prior to Nova Southeastern, Schram served two years as head coach at Limestone, guiding a team that had only three wins in the year before his arrival to 30 wins in his two seasons at the helm.

Schram also had coaching stops at Radford, Wofford and Bucknell. As a player, Schram spent two years at the University of Charleston and finished his career at Florida Gulf Coast University.

Schram earned his bachelor's degree in political science from FGCU in 2006 and earned a masters of education degree in transformation leadership from Aspen University in 2012.

Steve Schram named Southern Miss Women's Tennis Head Coach

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