RINDGE, N.H. (July 26, 2016) – Franklin Pierce University Director of Athletics Bruce Kirsh has announced Peter Arsenault has been named head coach of the University's men's and women's tennis programs. Arsenault brings Northeast-10 Conference experience with him, as he previously served as head coach at Merrimack.

"I feel truly honored to coach for a school and an administration that is extremely dedicated to athletics," said Arsenault. "As someone who has had the opportunity to both coach and play against Franklin Pierce in the past, I have always deeply admired the Athletic Department's unyielding commitment to build some of the most elite Division II programs in the Northeast. I am extremely excited for this opportunity to build that winning tradition back into the men's and women's tennis programs."

Rindge will be the second collegiate head coaching stop for Arsenault, who spent the 2013-14 season as the head coach of both the men's and women's tennis programs at fellow Northeast-10 member Merrimack. He would earn Northeast-10 Coach of the Year honors with both genders in his lone year with the Warriors, as he guided both teams to undefeated regular seasons, Northeast-10 regular season titles and NCAA Championship berths. The women's team capped off the season by capturing the Northeast-10 Championship as well. Between the two squads, Arsenault produced 10 All-Conference singles players, six All-Conference doubles pairings, four All-Rookie Team selections and the Women's Northeast-10 Player and Rookie of the Year over one year in North Andover, Mass.

"More than anything else, I feel extremely appreciative to have this opportunity to lead and mentor such a great and talented group of student-athletes," added Arsenault. "As a Raven family, I am confident we are going to push each other to new heights on the court, in the classroom and beyond."

In addition to his role as head tennis coach, Arsenault will also join the Franklin Pierce faculty as an adjunct professor in the business department. Arsenault comes to the Monadnock region with two degrees and has previously had his writing published in Organization Management Journal. He is a 2006 graduate of Merrimack, where he was a two-year captain of the men's tennis team and earned his degree in business administration. Earlier this year, Arsenault earned his doctorate in administration and policy, with a concentration in organizational behavior and theory, from Albany.

"It is my pleasure to welcome coach Arsenault to the Franklin Pierce University Athletic Department and the Ravens family," said Kirsh. "A driven, passionate professional, with a background spanning both athletics and academics, I look forward to him guiding both of our tennis programs to new successes in the coming years."

Originally from Amherst, N.H., Arsenault has also previously spent time as a tennis instructor at Next Level Tennis and Jasper Valley Swim and Tennis Club, both located in his hometown. He will join the staff at Franklin Pierce in August and embark on his debut season with Ravens tennis in the fall.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce tennis apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).