HOUSTON – The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) recently named its College Coach-of-the-Year Award the “Steve Wilkinson Collegiate Coach of the Year Award,” after the late longtime Gustavus Adolphus College men’s tennis coach.
“As a longtime member and recent inductee into the USPTA Hall of Fame, along with being the winningest coach in collegiate tennis, it was an easy decision to name this award after Steve,” said John Embree, USPTA CEO and Executive Director. “Steve’s passion for the game and the high class he demonstrated while competing speak for themselves and we’re grateful for his wonderful leadership over the years.”
Wilkinson, who coached the Golden Gusties from 1971-2009, compiled a 929-279 overall and 334-1 conference record during his coaching tenure, which included winning 36 MIAC championships and two NCAA Division III titles (1980 and 1982). His players claimed six national doubles titles, four national singles titles and he coached 46 players to 87 ITA All-America honors, 103 players to 226 All-Conference honors, and five CoSIDA Academic All-Americans. He was named NAIA National Coach of the Year twice (1974 and 1984) and Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division III Coach of the Year three times (1982, 2001, and 2003).
Along with his wife, Barb, Wilkinson founded Tennis and Life Camps in 1977. For more than 35 years, the couple impacted generations of tennis enthusiasts by teaching the “three crowns” of positive attitude, full effort, and sportsmanship. The Wilkinsons gifted Tennis and Life Camps to the College in 2010 and also created an endowed position at Gustavus in sports ethics and men’s tennis, which is currently held by head men’s tennis coach Tommy Valentini.
“This award being named after Coach [Wilkinson] is a tremendous honor for him and his family,” said Valentini. “The combination of what he accomplished and pioneered during his time with Gustavus, its men’s tennis program, and Tennis and Life, and the values with which he did that is tremendous. It’s another special honor that calls national attention to who he was and what he stood for.”
Founded in 1927, the USPTA is the global leader in tennis-teacher certification and professional development. With more than 15,000 members worldwide, the association raises the standards of tennis-teaching professionals and coaches, and promotes a greater awareness of the sport.