After coaching for 50 years in the Ashland community, Carl Leedy announced his retirement from coaching.

“I’m just a guy who followed a really strong interest from when I was young and I’ve had such a desire to be involved with tennis all my life,” said Leedy.

Leedy began his coaching career at the high school level at Waterford Township for one year and then coached at Ashland High School for 34 years.

At Ashland High School, Leedy retired in 2000 with a record of 655-271, marking the sixth best winning-record in school history.

During his time, Leedy coached six girls and four boys that qualified for state. He also clenched 13 girls’ team conference titles and six boys’ team conference titles. In 1977, Leedy coached the girl’s team to a state doubles championship title.

It was the spring of 2002 when Leedy came to Ashland University. He coached the Eagles for 15 years.

“I was very excited to be able to get the opportunity to coach college tennis,” said Leedy.

“When Carl came here, he gave the program a boost,” said AU Athletic Director Al King. “We had been experiencing yearly turnover at the coaching position and we needed someone who could come in, give the program direction and commit for the long haul. Carl did that and that’s the most important element he brought to AU.”

Leedy finished his Eagle coaching career with a record of 174-154, and qualified for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament seven times and made three NCAA Tournament appearances.

He remembers back in 2008 when he led the Eagles to their first-ever winning season, jumping from ninth place to third, and clenched a spot in the tournament.

“That was huge because the league is so tough,” said Leedy. “We were building and building and all of a sudden, boom, we had the players and we jumped right up to third place. We got the GLIAC tournament and we went to the NCAA tournament. That was a big year for us that changed and put us in the GLIAC tournament for the next seven years.”

The team was 22-6 that season. Add up all of Leedy’s victories and that’s a total of 829 wins.

“In this area, he’s regarded as one of the sport’s greatest ambassadors,” said King. “So many coaches in this area played for or coached for Carl. He’s respected for his coaching ability and the way he’s promoted the sport.

“It has been an incredible ride,” said Leedy. “I appreciate all the players, assistant coaches, administrators, parents and my family for helping make it possible. Each and every player has been important to me on my teams and I’ve tried to give all a chance to play as much as possible. I thank God and give him credit for giving me the desire, good health and ability to coach 50 years. It has been a labor of love.”

Following his success, Leedy will be inducted into the 17th class of the Ashland County Sports Hall of Fame later this year.

As for retirement, family and more travel are to be expected.

“I look forward to spend more time in Pennsylvania with our grandchildren,” said Leedy. “They’re moving into that age where there’re involved in middle school and starting high school activities of all kinds.”

King noted that a search for a new AU head women’s tennis coach is in progress.

“A new coach brings a new era and as a department, we need to evaluate all aspects of the program,” said King. “This is an exciting time, we will be bringing in someone new and they will build on what Carl’s put in place.”

Leedy will coach his final match on April 4 against Grace College.