University of Denver Associate Vice Chancellor for Sport Supervision and Internal Operations Ron Grahame announced today that Head Women's Tennis Coach Christian Thompson has signed a five-year contract extension that will run through 2022. As per University policy, terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

"We're very pleased to be signing Christian to this well-earned extension," says Grahame. "She has done an exceptional job running our women's tennis program these last three years and she's developed into an outstanding coach in a relatively short amount of time. We're looking forward to having her continue to lead the program to continued success for many years to come."

Originally named Denver's head coach in June of 2013, Thompson has amassed a record of 50-18 over her three seasons running the program, during which time the Pioneers have won three Summit League championships. She was named the Summit League Women's Tennis Coach of the Year for 2015-16 after leading DU to a perfect (6-0) in-league record for the third season in a row as well as a third consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament. Denver finished this past season ranked No. 50 on the final Oracle/ITA Collegiate Tennis Rankings, the program's highest finish since 2009 and its fifth-best since making the jump to Division I in 1998.

"I am grateful for the opportunity that Peg Bradley-Doppes and Ron Grahame gave me three years ago to guide the women's tennis program," says Thompson. "That opportunity turned into something special for me as I have found a true passion for coaching as well as a genuine love for the city of Denver as well as the University as a whole. I'm looking forward to helping the Pioneers' tennis program reach new heights of excellence in the coming seasons, starting with what promises to be an exciting 2016-17 campaign for us."

Thompson initially joined the Pioneers after serving the previous three seasons as an assistant coach at Yale. Thompson helped the Bulldogs amass a 59-15 record during that span, including a sparkling 18-3 mark in Ivy League play, three ECAC Indoor Team Championships and a pair of Ivy League titles. The Bulldogs also reached a program-best No. 18 ranking during her tenure at Yale. Thompson, who was named Ivy League Assistant Coach of the Year in 2010, served as Yale's interim head coach in the fall of 2011.

As a player, Thompson starred at Notre Dame from 2004-07. She was a three-time All-America choice in doubles along with her twin sister, Catrina Thompson, from 2005-07. The siblings were the top-ranked doubles tandem nationally in 2005 and 2006. The Thompson sisters captured the Riviera/ITA All-America doubles title in 2005 and finished second overall in 2004 and 2006. Christian Thompson also was a five-time BIG EAST All-Tournament Team selection. She went on to make her mark on the pro circuit, achieving WTA world rankings as high as No. 437 in doubles and No. 936 in singles. The Las Vegas native was inducted into the Nevada Tennis Hall of Fame in 2008.