Jan. 23, 2006

Los Angeles, Calif. - Sri Lanka native and UC Irvine graduate Renouk Wijemanne joins the Lions as an assistant coach, Loyola Marymount Head Coach Nik DeVore announced. Wijemanne becomes the program's first assistant coach.

"We are really fortunate to have Renouk join our staff," DeVore said.

Wijemanne, who hails from Colombo, Sri Lanka, was a national champion in his native country as a junior. He played for Sri Lanka's Davis Cup team in 1999, 2001, 2004, and 2005, accumulating a Davis Cup singles record of 11-7.

He was a collegiate student-athlete at UC Irvine from 2001 to 2004, graduating with a double major in mathematics and economics. While playing with the Anteaters, Wijemanne was a three-time Big West Conference Scholar-Athlete. He also garnered ITA Scholar-Athlete honors in 2004.

Wijemanne went on to play the professional circuit in 2005, achieving world rankings in both singles and doubles.

"Not only does Renouk have an outstanding playing background," DeVore said, "but he also possesses a great analytical eye for the game. The addition of Renouk will make all the difference in the world as we look to climb the national rankings and challenge for the WCC title."

-GO LIONS-