The University of Illinois Springfield men’s and women’s tennis programs have a new face and it is 24-year-old Tom Rees.
He replaces Manny Velasco as head coach. Velasco retired in June after 33 years of coaching.
Rees is a first time head coach. He was an assistant at NCAA Division II University of North Georgia the past two seasons. He was chosen as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Southeast Region Men’s Tennis Assistant Coach of the Year in May. North Georgia held a No. 23 ranking and qualified for the NCAA Tournament during his stint. The women’s team set program-best records in 2013 and 2014.
“(UIS athletic director Kim Pate) and the whole athletic department is pointing UIS athletics in the right direction,” Rees said. “I’m excited.”
Rees was featured by The State Journal-Register on August 8, 2014.
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