Courtesy of Northwood Sports Information Department

MIDLAND, MICH. – Zane Colestock, head coach of the Northwood University tennis programs, has announced he will retire at the conclusion of the 2020 season after a 46-year career at Northwood.

"When I started 46 years ago at Northwood, I was 24 years old, and you never, ever anticipate having a career at one place for that long," Colestock recently told the Midland Daily News. "And having the student-athletes I've had over the last 46 years is absolutely incredible. I'm so proud of all the students who have come to play tennis for me at Northwood.

"They have been great students. They have been great citizens. They have been great tennis players," he added. "I certainly owe everything I've ever done to the tennis players who have played for me over the years."

Colestock recently reached the 1,000 win mark in his legendary career. He currently stands with a 1000-277 overall record (643-197 men's/357-80 women's). In his time as coach, Northwood has won a combined 35 GLIAC Championships (22 men, 13 women). Colestock has been named the GLIAC Coach of the Year 20 times and the NAIA District Coach of the Year 13 times. He led the men's tennis program to the highest finish for any team at Northwood in the NCAA Tournament, placing third overall in 2002 while reaching the final four in 1998. In his time as head coach, the men's and women's teams have qualified for the NCAA Tournament 43 times.

"Northwood has been very, very good to me through the years," said Colestock. "You can't win championships and have the longevity of a program without the support of the university. And Northwood has always, always supported my program."