Bio

If there’s one thing that former men’s tennis standout David Luedtke did well at UW-Oshkosh, it would have to be winning. He posted at least 30 total victories in each of his four collegiate seasons. And during his last two years as a Titan, Luedtke racked up 37 singles wins and 49 doubles triumphs.

Luedtke’s win count ended up at a nice round number, 150, when he graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 1983. Just four years later, Luedtke advanced to the NCAA Division I as Baylor University’s (Texas) women’s tennis coach. Not much changed there, as Luedtke’s Bears won 212 matches from 1987-02.

A man who never had a losing record in singles or doubles play, Luedtke began his UW-Oshkosh career in 1980. He compiled a 16-14 mark as an individual and an 18-15 ledger on the doubles courts. During his sophomore campaign, Luedtke went 16-12 and was a finalist in the first singles flight at the WIAC Championship. He also teamed up with Kevin Reichenberger to place third at the league meet in No. 1 doubles.

The Titans won the NAIA District 14 championship in 1982 as Luedtke continued to improve his game. He tallied a personal-best 19 singles wins and 25 doubles victories. The duo of Luedtke and Chris Weils captured the No. 1 conference title as well as the district doubles crown. Luedtke’s season was impressive enough to qualify him for the NAIA Championship in both the singles and doubles brackets. UW-Oshkosh also made its first appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament, with Luedtke qualifying for the doubles competition.

Luedtke hit all those benchmarks and more in his senior season of 1983. He boasted a winning percentage of .823 in doubles play and .600 in singles. As the team’s No. 1 singles player, Luedtke won the WIAC Championship and the NAIA District 14 title. He earned a spot in both the NAIA and NCAA Championships. Nationally, Luedtke ranked 21st in the NAIA and 23rd in the NCAA Division III.

With UW-Oshkosh ranked eighth in the country, Luedtke achieved a 24-5 record in doubles. He and Weils took home the top prize at both the league meet and the district championship. Luedtke’s doubles flight was ranked fourth in the Midwest Region, as it advanced to the NAIA meet and the NCAA Qualifier.

Luedtke changed roles from player to teacher, but he continued to gain national recognition. As Baylor University’s head coach, he made six consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division I Championship from 1996-2001. Along with his .603 winning percentage, Luedtke was named Southwest Region Coach of the Year in 1996, 1997 and 2000. He shared the Big 12’s Coach of the Year honor in 1997 after going 9-2 during conference play. Luedtke coached 10 league champions, along with one All-American singles player and doubles group.

Still living in Texas, Luedtke is the athletic director and a physical education teacher at Waco Montessori School. He and his wife, Cindi, have four children.