CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Case Western Reserve University Director of Athletics Dave Diles has announced the hiring of Mark Hawald as the Spartans' new head wrestling coach. A former National Coach of the Year, Hawald spent the last five seasons as head coach at the University of Mount Union, where he built one of the top Division III programs in the nation.

Hawald is only the third head wrestling coach at CWRU since The University Federation in 1967. The late Bob Del Rosa coached the team from its origin through the 2010-11 season, and 2002 graduate Chris Nader led the program as interim coach in 2011-12.

"Mark Hawald brings unprecedented qualifications to our wrestling program," said Diles. "He was a highly decorated wrestler at John Carroll University, and his coaching credentials are remarkable. As a three-time Ohio Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, and as the Division III National Coach of the Year, he has the experience and track record to lead the Spartan wrestling program. Moreover, I am particularly impressed with his international coaching experience and his overall vision for the advancement of our program. We are thrilled to welcome him to our department and university."

Hawald brings with him to University Circle an outstanding resume that includes back-to-back OAC Championships in 2011 and 2012, seven NCAA All-Americans, 11 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-Americans and one NCAA Top-10 finish.

A three-time OAC Coach of the Year, Hawald led the Purple Raiders to a 42-25 dual match record over the past five seasons and a program-best eighth-place finish at the 2011 NCAA Championship Tournament in 2011. Also during the 2010-11 campaign, the Solon, Ohio-native was tabbed as the D3wrestle.com National Coach of the Year in Division III.

"I am excited to lead a program that is rich in history and tradition," said Hawald. "The world-class academic reputation and the resources at Case Western Reserve will allow us to recruit outstanding student-athletes who will help lead this program to a level of national prominence."

Prior to his time at Mount Union, Hawald served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame College (Ohio) for one season following his time as a student-athlete then volunteer assistant at John Carroll. While at JCU, Hawald was a standout wrestler as a four-time OAC Champion and 2004 All-American at 174 pounds. The Blue Streaks' all-time leader in career wins (122), Hawald was tabbed as the Clyde Lamb Award winner in 2005, in recognition as the institution's top male student-athlete.

Also a three-time Academic All-American, Hawald earned his Bachelor's Degree in accounting from JCU in 2005 and his Master's in Business Administration in 2007. In addition to his coaching duties at Mount Union, Hawald served an instructor in the Department of Economics, Accounting and Business Administration.

The Spartan wrestling program has a long history of success both on the mat and in the classroom. Overall, Case Western Reserve has produced 19 All-Americans, four NCAA National Champions and 36 NWCA Scholar All-Americans. The program has also ranked in the top-10 in the nation for team grade point average four times, including posting the No. 1 ranking in Division III in 2007.