CEDAR CITY, Utah -- The Southern Utah University Athletic Department and Director of Athletics Debbie Corum have announced the hiring of Monroe Walker as the new head coach of the Thunderbird Women's Tennis Program.
"Monroe was highly recommended as both a successful coach and a person committed to a positive student-athlete experience," Corum said. "Upon his visit to campus, he seemed like a great fit for what this program needs heading into the new year, and we are happy that he has accepted this position."
Walker has spent the past four seasons with the Tennessee State Tigers, serving as both their head men's and women's coach.
"I would sincerely like to thank Director of Athletics Debbie Corum, and Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director Dan Moye for choosing me to join the SUU staff as the new head women's tennis coach," Walker said. "I am truly humbled by the opportunity to lead such a talented group of young athletes and work alongside faculty who share my desire to cultivate an environment that will allow each player to maximize their potential and be successful on the court and beyond."
At the end of the 2017-18 campaign his women's team had secured 13 victories and the men's team under his guidance secured 10 wins. Both of those were massive successes, as the year he took over both programs the women's team didn't have a single team win, and the men's team had just one. Both were school records for most single-season wins.
Last season both teams under Walker's supervision had the top GPA's amongst all sports at Tennessee State.
"SUU Athletics' commitment to providing the best possible experience to every student-athlete has been made very apparent under Corum's leadership," Walker said. "I admire the progressive and multifaceted approach she takes in finding new ways to improve SUU sports programs at large. This was definitely a major selling point for me in my decision to accept the position."
Before walker joined the TSU program, the women's team hadn't won since 2012 and hadn't beaten an Ohio Valley Conference opponent since 2001, which they accomplished in just his second year.
Prior to his time in Tennessee, Walker served as the head men's and women's coach at Graceland University from 2011-15. In 2014 both the Graceland men's and women's teams earned automatic berths to the National Tournament, which was the first time that had happened in the history of the program.
Walker had a successful playing career at Xavier University (Louisiana), where he earned a Doubles Conference Championship as a freshman and finished in the top-50 in the NAIA singles rankings. While also securing Freshman of the Year honors and a Conference Championship his senior year, he picked up over 100 singles and doubles victories while playing collegiate tennis
"I am very excited about joining the T-Bird family and I am looking forward to a great season," Walker said.
He earned a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration / Sales & Marketing from Xavier University before earning a Masters Degree in Sports Administration from Tennessee State University in 2014.
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