LANGLEY, B.C. – Trinity Western University Spartan Athletics have officially named Jacob Visser as the new head coach of the Spartans women's and men's disc golf teams. Visser becomes the program's second head coach, taking over from founding coach Chris Hartmann, who is retiring, but will continue to act in an advisory role. 

Visser moves from athlete to coach, having completed his varsity playing career this past spring after earning TWU's first-ever national individual Division II title at the Collegiate Disc Golf National Championships in South Carolina. 

This past year, Visser, who has a current disc golf rating of 988, also became the disc golf team's first-ever winner of TWU's Complete Champion Award, which is an award given to senior Spartan student-athletes who are "outstanding in athletic achievements, who advance to the edge of their abilities both academically and personally, and who also demonstrate leadership and a desire to grow spiritually."

Jacob Visser, TWU Head Coach
"I'm honoured and excited to be stepping into the role of head coach for the TWU disc golf team. Chris has done a great job building a foundation for this program and I'm grateful for the chance to continue that work and help carry it forward. TWU disc golf has meant a lot to me personally, both as a student-athlete and as someone who has experienced the growth, competition, and community that this team can offer.

"What excites me most is the opportunity to help our players grow not only as disc golfers, but as people. I believe this program has a lot of potential and I want to help build a team culture that is competitive, committed, and genuinely supportive of one another. My hope is that TWU disc golf continues to become a place where athletes are pushed to get better, encouraged in their faith and character, and proud to represent the Spartans."

Jeff Gamache, TWU Director of Athletics 
"I have always believed that mentoring and promoting from within is the best way forward for a team. Jacob has been an exceptional player and leader for us as an athlete, recently graduating as the disc golf program's first Complete Champion Award winner. I have no doubt that his all-round excellence will transfer into his coaching role. In many ways, he has acted as something of an assistant coach with our younger athletes already, so this now formalizes his role and allows him to take the program to even greater heights. I am so thankful for his willingness to take this leadership role on and I have full confidence he will develop more Complete Champions in the years to come."

Chris Hartmann, Former TWU Disc Golf Head Coach
"I'm excited for Jacob as he takes this next step in our sport and in his career. Having been on the team since the start of the program, Jacob knows the routines, right down to where we eat most meals when we're on the road, so he has a great start. I think he'll really enjoy building his coaching philosophy and techniques. Going from player and peer to coach will be a change, but as an athlete he works hard to figure things out and he'll bring that high level of determination to his efforts to assist each member of the team."

About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in nine sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey and women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes in the NAIA in cross country and track and field, and as an independent team in men's rugby and women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 15 U SPORTS team championships and 35 Canada West team championships.

About Trinity Western University
Recognized for quality, TWU has received seven consecutive A+ rankings for Quality of Teaching and Learning, holds three Canada Research Chairs, and wins national championships in CIS sports. More importantly, lives are changed at TWU through its whole-person, Christ-centred approach to education. With a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree-completion programs, TWU equips leaders of character and competence to make a positive impact in the lives of others.  

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