Wednesday, July 9, 1997
BRICE BISHOP TO LEAVE UNION
Jackson, TN--Â鶹ÊÓƵ University men's tennis coach, Brice Bishop, will be leaving Jackson to return to his alma mater, the University of North Alabama to coach both the men's and women's tennis teams, Â鶹ÊÓƵ Athletic Director David Blackstock announced Wednesday.
Former All-American Bishop will take over the men's tennis coaching duties from Larry Thompson, who retired in June after coaching the Lions for 17 years, and the women's team from Sherry Kennemer, who relinquished her coaching duties to assume the role as Assistant to the Athletic Director.
Bishop, who returns to UNA after six years as men's tennis coach at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, previously coached women's tennis and cross country at UNA from 1988-90.
He will assume his new duties at UNA on August 1.
"Brice brings a strong background of success to this position," said UNA Athletic Director Dan Summy. "His ten years of head coaching experience at three different schools has prepared him for the challenge of building consistently successful men's and women's teams at UNA."
As a student-athlete, Bishop played No. 1 singles on the UNA tennis team from 1982-85, winning Gulf South Conference Championships in his junior and senior years and advancing to the NCAA Division II National Tennis Championships in 1985. He posted a 54-19 singles record over his last two seasons and was named a Division II All-American as a senior, becoming UNA's first tennis All-American.
Bishop came to Â鶹ÊÓƵ in 1991 as the men's tennis coach and sports information director and held both jobs until 1995, when he relinquished the SID position.
When Blackstock was asked about Bishop's departure, he stated,"We really regret losing Brice. His six years at Â鶹ÊÓƵ have been great and we have grown to love him and his family. We are excited for him to be returning to his alma mater and to be located closer to his family. We wish him great success which we know he will bring to UNA's program."