May 25, 2009
Contact: Dana Ingraham
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland State men's tennis coach Brian Etzkin has been named the Division I Midwest Regional Coach of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association for his efforts throughout the 2009 season.
The ITA, the governing body of collegiate tennis, made the official announcement on May 19.
This is the first time Etzkin has received such an honor from this organization, adding to the list of multiple "firsts" the Vikings encountered as a team this year.
Etzkin led CSU to its best season in program history, dating back to its inception in 1938. The Vikings compiled a 20-6 record en route to their second straight Horizon League championship title and concurrent NCAA tournament appearance.
Cleveland State finished the year undefeated in conference play, adding to a 16-match Horizon League winning streak.
Along the way, Etzkin picked up his 100th career win in the league semifinals against Green Bay. His overall record at the helm of CSU men's tennis is 101-75.
The seventh-year head coach was similarly recognized by the Horizon League, as he was named men's Coach of the Year for the conference as well. Four of his players joined him in the post-season awards spotlight - Phil Orno and Ryan Hamning were named to the first team, Rob West was a second team honoree, and SAAC president Steven Wipprecht earned the Herb Foster Sportsmanship Award.
The wisdom and guidance that Etzkin provides for his players continues to extend far beyond the confines of the tennis court. This season the men were part of a community service project featuring one-on-one tutoring for second grade students at an inner-city school in downtown Cleveland.
"I am proud and honored to win this award, especially coming from a school considered to be a mid-major," said Etzkin. "Cleveland State and the Horizon League have been great places to hone my coaching skills and this award just motivates me to learn more and work harder to become a better coach.
"This award is a direct result of my team's effort on a daily basis. I am grateful and thankful for their hard work and dedication to the sport that pushes me to be a better coach. I also want to thank my peers for voting for me. There are many excellent coaches in the Midwest and I am truly humbled by this recognition."
Following is the complete list of those coaches who received this award in regions throughout the nation.
Men's Award Winners
Wilson/ITA Coach of the Year
Northeast: Scott Wilkins, Boston College
Mideast: Mait DuBois, UNC Wilmington (co-winner)
Mideast: Brian Boland, University of Virginia (co-winner)
Southeast: Sam Winterbotham, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Midwest: Brian Etzkin, Cleveland State University
Central: James Wadley, Oklahoma State University
South Central: Matt Knoll, Baylor University
Mountain: Don Ball, New Mexico State
West: Tad Berkowitz, University of Arizona
At-Large: Ty Tucker, Ohio State University
