KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Kalamazoo College announced the hiring of Mark Murphy as head women's tennis coach and director of tennis facilities Thursday.  Murphy comes to Kalamazoo College after 11 years as associate head men's and women's tennis coach at his alma mater, Coe College. He has also been the assistant director of Coe's Clark Racquet Center since 2005.

"We are excited to welcome Mark to the Kalamazoo College community," said Kristen Smith, Kalamazoo College's Director of Athletics. "He has extensive coaching experience with nationally ranked teams at Coe, he played under and coached with a Kalamazoo College alum, and his experience managing tennis facilities ensures that Stowe Stadium and the Markin Racquet Center will continue to operate as the finest collegiate tennis facilities in the country."

Murphy played and coached at Coe under Eric Rodgers, a 1979 Kalamazoo College graduate and member of two of Coach George Acker's NCAA III National Championship teams.

In his 11 years as associate head coach at Coe, Murphy helped guide the Kohawks to nine conference team championships (6 men, 3 women), six conference second place finishes (4 men, 2 women), and eight NCAA III Tournament appearances (6 men, 2 women). He has worked with a combined 93 All-Conference selections, 10 ITA/NCAA All-Americans, and eight conference most valuable players.

"I am looking forward to the opportunities at Kalamazoo College," said Murphy. "Kalamazoo has superior academic programs, excellent tennis facilities, and supportive faculty, staff, and alumni. Kalamazoo College has all the necessary components for a national level program."

In addition to his duties at Coe, Murphy has coached at the USTA Competition Training Center in Cedar Rapids, served as chair of the Iowa District Junior Competition, and taught private lessons as a USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) certified instructor. He also was voted as the Most Outstanding Contributor to Junior Tennis in Iowa in 2006.

Murphy graduated from Coe College in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in political science and business administration. He was a three-year letter winner for the Kohawks and member of two Midwest Conference championship teams.

Murphy plans on beginning work in Kalamazoo on Jan. 4, 2010.

"I want to create a fun, challenging, and exciting environment for student-athletes to be successful on and off the court," said Murphy. "We expect to be competitive regionally and nationally."

The Kalamazoo College women's tennis team has a long history of success. The Hornets have won 39 MIAA championships, more than double the amount of the next highest total. Kalamazoo finished third in the nation in 1986 and ninth in 1994.

(Release courtesy of Kalamazoo Sports Information Department)