University of Mary Athletics

A six-time national championship qualifier in singles and doubles, Debbie Fettig (1988-90) was a force in the early days of the University of Mary tennis program. In her three seasons as a player, the Marauders captured three district team titles before coaching the women’s team to a fourth straight crown.

A native of Bismarck, N.D., and a 1985 graduate of St. Mary’s Central High School, Fettig transferred to U-Mary after earning her associate’s degree from Bismarck State College. In her first season competing for the Marauders in 1988, also the first season of the program, Fettig captured the NAIA District 12 doubles title and was a finalist in singles to lead U-Mary to a district championship. Along with the team, she advanced to the NAIA national championships in singles and doubles. A junior in 1989, Fettig won her first NAIA District 12 singles title while reaching the finals in doubles and leading the Marauders to a second straight district team title. Once again the team advanced to the NAIA championships while she qualified in both singles and doubles.
The success continued during her senior season. After winning a third straight NAIA District 12 team and doubles championship and advancing to the finals in singles play in 1990, the U-Mary team qualified for the national championships for a third consecutive time. Individually, Fettig again qualified in both singles and doubles. This time she found additional success on the national stage, winning her first two singles matches to advance to the round of 64. A two-time NAIA Scholar-Athlete (1989-90), Fettig was also named a Volvo Tennis Scholar-Athlete in her final season.

Fettig returned to coach both the men’s and women’s tennis teams in 1991. She was named the NAIA District 12 Women’s Coach of the Year after leading her team to the district title and a berth in the national tournament. The men’s squad was a district finalist. The daughter of Matt and Agnes Fettig, Debbie graduated from U-Mary with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in 1990. An employee of Scheels All-Sports, Debbie earned a master’s degree in sports administration and physical education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1996 and was the 2003 PTR North Dakota Tennis Professional of the Year.