CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland State University Director of Athletics Mike Thomas announced the hiring of Andy Tulleners as head fencing coach Thursday morning.

Tulleners is no stranger to the CSU fencing program as this will be his second stint leading the squad. He was the head coach for seven seasons from 2008-15.

During his first stretch as head coach, Tulleners was named Midwest Fencing Conference Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2014. He also helped three different individuals qualify for the NCAA Championships.

CSU's associate head coach for the past two seasons, Tulleners served on the NCAA Fencing Committee in 2014-15 and is the Secretary of the Midwest Conference, a role he's held since 2014. He also was an assistant coach for Cleveland State for three seasons from 2005-08.

As head coach at CSU, Tulleners consistently ensured his student-athletes performed well off the strip as his teams combined for eight NCAA APR Public Recognition awards.

At the end of this past season, Tulleners earned USA Fencing's 'Spirit of the Sport' award. He was one of six individuals nationally chosen based on commitment to the sport of fencing, as well as commitment to his or her club, along with the sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork and character that the nominee displays.

Tulleners will lead Cleveland State in a time of great anticipation for the program. The NCAA announced this past spring that Cleveland State, in conjunction with the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, will host the 2019 National Collegiate Men's and Women's Fencing Championships.

Tulleners earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Dayton in 1999. He lives in nearby Chardon, Ohio.