ORLANDO, Fla. – Head coach Paul Settles of the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men’s tennis team has been named College Coach of the Year by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA). The USPTA announced its 2013 award winners on Friday, Sept. 27 at its annual World Conference in Florida.
This is the second “Coach of the Year” award that Settles has earned for the 2012-13 season. In May, Settles was named Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Coach of the Year after leading the Stags to a second place finish in 2013 at the NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Championships, the program’s best finish since 1994. The 2013 squad reached No. 1 in the nation for the first time in program history after defeating Kenyon 9-0 and defending national champion Emory 8-1 on consecutive days. CMS recorded a school record 30 wins in 2013. The team also won an eighth-consecutive SCIAC title this year, going undefeated against NCAA Division III competition during the regular season.
The 2013 season was the 10th season as head coach of the Stags for Settles and during his tenure he has led the team to a 237-67 overall record. In conference matches under Settles, the Stags have been even more impressive with nine SCIAC titles and a conference record of 90-4, including eight seasons in a row without a SCIAC loss. In 2009 Settles was named West Region ITA Coach of the Year.
The USPTA honored those who stand out and go above and beyond in all aspects of the tennis industry at the annual USPTA World Conference on Friday. The USPTA National Awards program is conducted annually. Nominations are submitted by the organization’s 17 divisions and by individuals. Recipients in each category are decided by the USPTA’s awards committee.
CMS begins the 2014 regular season on Thursday, Feb. 20 at home vs. Westmont and Vanguard.
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