Sept. 26, 2008

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Andy Tulleners, who has served as an assistant fencing coach at Cleveland State for the last three seasons, has been named the head fencing coach at CSU.

Director of Athletics Lee Reed made the announcement on Friday afternoon.

"It is quite an honor to be the head coach of a varsity program," Tulleners said. "I am humbled to be following in the footsteps of some great coaches at Cleveland State."

Tulleners is replacing Jim Sager retired after serving as the head coach since the 2000-01 season.

"We are in the process of rebuilding the program and bringing in a good number of quality fencers," Tulleners said. "I want to develop the program and make it strong for the future to the point where we are offereing strong competition to teams on the regional and national levels."

"We are excited to add Andy to our staff," Reed said. "He knows the program and really has a knowledge and understanding for the sport and our student-athletes."

Last season, Tulleners played a key role in 10 Vikings earning berths at the NCAA regional championship. In addition, Liran Gross (foil) and Andy Snell (eppe) were selected as first alternates to the NCAA Championship.

Tulleners was responsible in aiding 17 athletes to the regional championships, while four were named alternates to the NCAA Championship during his first two seasons as an assistant coach for the Vikings.

In addition to his time at CSU, Tulleners has also served as the head coach of the Caldera Club team in Chardon, Ohio, and the Kent State and Lake Erie College club teams.

In 2007-08, Tulleners served as a member-at-large of the U.S. Fencing Association Northern Ohio Division.

Tulleners is a 1999 graduate of the University of Dayton with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.