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Wayne State University Athletics

Andy Ayrault 2023

Andy Ayrault

UPDATED August 1, 2025

Andy Ayrault joined the Wayne State University women's basketball coaching staff as an assistant coach in June of 2022 and enters his fourth year on coach Carrie Lohr's staff during the 2025-26 campaign.

"I was fortunate to meet Andy and his wife Kim 10 years ago at a WSU Basketball Alumni event," commented Warrior head coach Carrie Lohr.  "I quickly learned as WSU alums and former student-athletes; they both have been loyal supporters since the day they graduated.  I believe that Andy is a coach of high character.  His teaching and mentoring come with a steady and positive style.  Our players and program will benefit from Coach Ayrault's respectful and professional approach to all facets of the position.  His nearly 30 years of coaching and public relations will enhance our program."

In his first season on the women's basketball coaching staff, Ayrault helped lead the Warriors to 14 victories, a berth in the GLIAC tournament and two Second Team All-GLIAC performers (Becca Fugate and Shea Tripp).

In year two, WSU compiled a 16-12 mark, had 10 GLIAC All-Academic honorees, and the squad was recognized by the WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association) and given "Special Mention" for posting a team GPA of at least 3.0.  In addition, Tripp was a First Team All-GLIAC selection, while Gabi Lutchka was voted to the All-GLIAC Second Team.

Wayne State began its 2024-25 season with an exhibition contest at Michigan State, which featured coach Ayrault, his oldest daughter Julia playing for the Spartans, and younger daughter Annabel competing for the Warriors.  Last year's squad won a home playoff game, advanced to the GLIAC semifinals and the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling at eventual national champion GVSU in both tournaments.  In fact, four of WSU's 12 setbacks were to the Lakers.

The 2024-25 team played the third-toughest schedule in Division 2 (564-367, .606) [out of 301 schools] and finished with a 20-12 record, winning 20 games for the first time in more than a decade, and equaling the most GLIAC wins (13) in the last seven years.

Ayrault, who played in 116 career games from 1989-93 for the Tartars, scored 919 points and grabbed 592 rebounds in 2500 minutes of action for the Green and Gold.  WSU compiled a 68-50 record in his four seasons and made two NCAA Tournament appearances, including the 1993 squad when Ayrault served as the team captain.  The 1992 team won the GLIAC regular-season title with a 12-4 mark, while his senior squad won five consecutive post-season games to advance to the national semifinals, before falling to Cal State-Bakersfield.

He is tied-for-36th in all-time scoring at WSU, while his 220 free throws made ranks 20th.  Ayrault's 592 rebounds is 12th in Wayne State history, with his 38 blocked shots tied-for-29th.  Ayrault's 116 games played is third all-time, while his 90 career starts ranks sixth, and his 2,500 minutes played is 21st.

Ayrault earned a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree from Wayne State in 1995 after playing part of a season with the Hemel-Hempstead Royals in the United Kingdom.  

In addition to working in advertising, Ayrault spent four seasons (2019-22) as the head boys basketball coach at Grosse Pointe North High School.

Ayrault and his wife Kim, who also played basketball at WSU, have two sets of twins - Joe and Julia, and Annabel and Adam.  Both Annabel and Adam will be junior basketball student-athletes at WSU in 2025-26, while Julia concluded her collegiate career at Michigan State in March of 2025.  A First Team All-Big Ten selection in 2023-24, Julia scored 1,356 points in 139 games.  Joe graduated from Michigan State in 2023.

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