Chris Leicht enters his tenth year at Wilkes University in 2011-12, coaching the men's tennis team for nine seasons and the women's tennis team for eight. During that time, he has amassed combined record of 222-66 (.771 winning percentage), leading the women's squad to five straight Freedom Conference crowns while the men have won four in-a-row.
Each of those conference titles have given the Colonels and Lady Colonels an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.
In 2010-11, Leicht led the women's squad to a 16-2 record, advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Amazingly, the Lady Colonels did not give up a point in conference play all season, winning all five matches by 9-0 scores, while also winning both conference tournament matches by shutout (6-0 and 5-0). They went on to post a dramatic come-from-behind 5-3 win over Ithaca in the first round of the NCAAs, before eventually falling to Washington & Lee, the eighth-ranked team in the nation.
For the men in 2010-11, Leicht guided the Colonels to an 11-4 overall record, advancing to the opening round of the NCAA tournament. Wilkes went undefeated in conference play, surrendering just two points to Freedom opponents during the regular season and one during the tournament. They eventually lost to Ohio Northern in the NCAAs.
During his time as the men's coach, Leicht has coached 25 all-conference selections, including two rookies of the year (Cesar Leon, 2009-10 and Keith Kopelcheck, 2003-04).
He's also had 10 singles champions at the Middle Atlantic Conference individual tournament, while four doubles pairings have taken home the title. And he's won four conference coach of the year awards, after the 2003-04, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.
As the coach of the women's squad, Leicht has a 108-29 overall dual match record since the 2003 season, scoring at least 12 victories in each of his last six seasons. He hasn't won less than 16 in a year since 2006-07, the first of back-to-back 18-win seasons.
Leicht has coached 26 All-Freedom performers since 2003, placing five on the first or second teams in each of the past three years. He's also had three conference rookies of the year, four players of the year, has won six coach of the year awards, and has 16 individual and 11 doubles titles at the MAC championships.
A student-athlete included in those awards is Melanie Nolt, who in her first two seasons on campus (2009-10 and 2010-11) has two No. 1 singles titles; two doubles championships; has been named Freedom Conference player of the year twice; has an overall singles record of 27-8 and a doubles mark of 28-10.
Leicht has also led his team to many academic awards. His tennis teams have been named ITA All-American Academic teams ten times and several individuals have been All-American academic achievers.
Prior to arriving at Wilkes Chris spent three seasons as the head boy's coach at his alma mater, Danville Area High School. During his stint at Danville, Chris compiled a career record of 57-4. His teams won both the League and District IV titles in his final two years. During both seasons Danville advanced to the state semifinals before falling by identical 3-2 scores. Leicht’s overall career coaching record is 252-60.
He is a 2000 graduate of Bloomsburg University, earning a degree in Business Administration. He also earned his Masters in Business Administration at Bloomsburg University. Leicht also serves as the Director of the Recreation and Athletic Center (RAC) at Wilkes University.
