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Al Wermer is the winningest men’s coach in any sport at the University of Toledo, with 360 victories in his 30 years at the helm of the men’s tennis program. Coach Al, as he is referred to by his athletes, has coached 39 Rockets to All-MAC honors, and led his team to its first MAC Tournament title in 50 years along with the program’s first MAC Championship regular season title in 2023. UT has made 12 Mid-American Conference Tournament finals or semi-finals appearances under Wermer’s lead.
The Rockets recorded their second-consecutive MAC Championship in 2023-24, taking down No. 1 seeded Western Michigan, 4-1, to claim the victory and appear in the second-straight NCAA Tournament. Pawit Sornlaksup was named MAC Player of the Year while Wermer earned MAC Coach of the Year honors. Sornlaksup made Toledo history as the first Rocket to compete in the NCAA Individual Championships, participating in singles play.
Wermer’s team had a historic 2022-23 season, earning the titles of MAC Co-Regular Season Champions and MAC Tournament Champions with the program’s second-best record of 18-6 (8-2 MAC). The Rockets defeated Big Ten opponent Purdue, No. 74 ranked Ball State, won nine consecutive matches en route to earning its first team berth into the NCAA Division I Men's Tennis Championship to place No.7 Michigan (L, 0-4), and was ranked No. 73 in the ITA DI Men’s Tennis Team Rankings.
The Rockets also earned numerous postseason accolades. Wermer was named MAC Coach of the Year for the first time, Sornlaksup earned consecutive MAC Player of the Year, Sornlaksup and Wetoszka were named to the MAC All-Tournament Team, and three Rockets earned All-MAC honors. Sornlaksup continued his dominance as the Rockets’ No.1 singles player, extending his dual match winning streak to 43-straight matches over two years as a Rocket.
During the 2021-22 season, his team recorded a 15-9 (7-3 MAC) record and appeared in the finals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The Rockets also finished second in the regular season and collected numerous postseason accolades. Sornlaksup was named Player of the Year, Marko Galic and Sornlaksup were named to the All-Tournament Team, three Rockets earned All-MAC honors, and Cole Shoults was named the league’s Jack Verdevelt Sportsmanship Award honoree.
Toledo was ranked No. 9 in the 2022 ITA Collegiate Tennis Division I Men’s Great Lakes Regional Rankings, following the 2021-22 season. Additionally, Sornlaksup was ranked No. 17 in singles, and Sornlaksup and Galic were ranked No. 8 in doubles.
The Rockets have also shown excellence in the classroom throughout Wermer’s career. 29 student-athletes have been placed on the Academic All-MAC teams, 24 earning ITA Scholar-Athlete honors and five on the CSC Academic All-District. The team has also earned the ITA All-Academic Team Honors for eight-straight years (2018-25).
During Coach Al’s tenure, he has coached an ITA Midwest Regional Arthur Ashe Leadership Award winner, an ITA Midwest Regionals singles semi-finalist, five MAC Players of the Year, three recipients of the MAC Senior Sportsmanship Award, and two Toledo Varsity T Hall of Fame student-athletes. Those Hall of Fame athletes include Jared Miller (2018) and Stjepan Sisko (2022).
Coach Al has served many terms as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Division I Midwest Men’s Regional Chairman and on the ITA National Division I Operating Committee, developing policy for college tennis. He is a regular speaker at national and regional tennis coaches’ conventions.
Coach Al has focused on enhancing facilities and numerous community engagements at the University of Toledo, making Rocket Tennis relevant on campus and in the community. He’s been instrumental in two major tennis facility upgrades, as well as the renovations of the men’s tennis locker room.
Wermer founded the Rocket Tennis Dream Academy in 2017 for under-served youth. He’s also directed cancer awareness “Toledo vs. Cancer” invitationals, free summer kids clinics and pro-am events.
Wermer, a graduate of Capital University with a degree in physical education, played one season on the pro circuit. Coach Al began his college coaching with his alma mater, the Crusaders. He received his Master of Arts in recreation and leisure studies from Toledo and a second Master’s degree in sport psychology.
Wermer and his wife, Nancy, reside in Toledo and have been married for 26 years.
