The sioux city, iowa native has built a dynasty in st peter, as the gusties have won 31 of the past 34 miac tennis titles including 16 straight and have compiled an astonishing conference dual match record of 3011. The regularseason conference title was the 26th in a row for gustavus, and gustie head coach tommy valentini was also honored by his peers as the miac steve wilkinson mens tennis coach oftheyear as a result of his teams successful season. Jan 01, 2014 his approach has impacted varsity players at gustavus adolphus college, students studying world religions and sport ethics, and thousands of people attending tennis and life camps. Coach steve sports is helping children learn important life skills, by using sports as the vehicle. Tennis in the northland book chronicles history of boys. Mar 01, 2020 hall of fame tennis coach steve wilkinson rousted the gustavus adolphus black team early for the long van ride to grambling, louisiana. His favorite book was the little engine that could, which. Wilk and his wife barbara established an endowment so that the mens tennis coaching position is linked with a professorship in sports ethics. It was a fairly big group 11 or 12 of about 9 different nationalities, only a single female, and with only 1 person knowing where we were going propaganda, from the guide book, and a place with notoriously harsh face control a more russian phenomenon where instead of refusing entry due to jeans or trainers, for example, if they. Conferencechampion gustavus headlines 2014 miac mens tennis.
Kim gidley named uspta national coach of the year air force. Steve wilkinson retired from gustavus with the most wins of any mens tennis coach in any colleges history. Steve wilkinson, the longtime mens tennis coach at gustavus adolphus college, founder of tennis and life camps and usta northern hall of famer, passed away on january 21 at the age of 73 after courageously living with cancer for nearly seven years. Mar 06, 2020 beginning his coaching career in 1970, steve wilkinson coached the gusties to 35 miac titles, 15 consecutive ncaa appearances, two ncaa division iii team titles and was honored as the national coach of the year five times. Steve wilkinson, longtime mens tennis coach at gustavus adolphus college and founder of tennis and life camps, passed away on wednesday, january 21 at the age of 73 after courageously living with cancer for nearly seven years. Wcco features legendary mens tennis coach steve wilkinson.
What will become of steve wilkinsons tennis empire. He was the winningest coach in college tennis while at gustavus adolphus college for 39 years from 1971 to 2009. His life was filled with purpose and his last days with calls from family and friends. The team is now headed by tommy valentini, a former gusty who in his one season as head coach led the gusties to another miac title. Hageseth received his bachelors degree in philosophy from gustavus in 2003 where he played tennis under steve wilkinson the winningest coach in collegiate tennis history. Let love serve by steve wilkinson i cherish most in others. Steve and barb also created an endowed position at gustavus in sports ethics and mens tennis, which is currently held by head mens tennis coach tommy valentini. Wilkinson, age 73, retired professor and tennis coach at gustavus adolphus college, died peacefully in his home in st.
Sep 23, 2020 air force womens tennis head coach kim gidley was named the 2020 united states professional tennis associations uspta steve wilkinson college coach of the year, announced today via virtual video conference. Reflecting upon enduring lessons learned during my formative years, a primary source was former professor and college tennis coach steve wilkinson. Apr 29, 2015 reflecting upon enduring lessons learned during my formative years, a primary source was former professor and college tennis coach steve wilkinson. In this powerful and inspiring book wilkinson describes his journey through life including his playing and coaching careers and his philosophy of tennis and life. Hageseth is also a coach at the tennis and life camps in st. This is valentinis second miac coaching honor in his five years as head coach. Steve wilkinson assistant coach phillip townsend assistant coach. Kuow tennis coach steve wilkinsons unusual approach to. He didnt decide to go, terminal cancer decided for him. Ross reynolds speaks with steve wilkinson, a member of the u. Steve wilkinsons flight sunday to londons wimbledon with wife, barb.
He was the head mens tennis coach from 19712009 and retired from the school as the winningest coach in the history of mens collegiate tennis with 923 victories. Steve wilkinson s recipe for success with his tennis players at gustavus adolphus college was to have a positive attitude, focus on their efforts and treat others with respect. Max and wilkinson talked about wilkinsons career, his new book let love serve, and his battle with cancer. This, despite the fact that he deemphasizes winning. As a collegiate tennis coach, wilkinson led the gustavus mens team. Wilkinson recently published a memoir called let love serve, a celebration of tennis and life.
Wang named finalist for 2020 uspta steve wilkinson college. The book also includes a foreword from steve wilkinson of gustavus adolphus college, arguably one of the greatest division iii college tennis coaches in the nation. Serving is not only the most important stroke in tennis, its the most important thing in life. Wilkinson spent 39 years 19712009 at the helm of the gustavus mens tennis program. In this book, wilkinson teaches people how to let go of things outside their control and to focus on the things they can change. Wilk apparently never forgot the impact of clearing out his office in 1977.
When legends collide a tale in gustavus adolphus tennis. Aug 27, 2020 in an announcement made by the united states professional tennis association uspta, wang has been named a finalist for the organizations 2020 steve wilkinson college coach of the year. Steve wilkinson steve wilkinson, longtime mens tennis coach at gustavus adolphus college and founder of tennis and life camps, passed. Jan 22, 2015 longtime tennis coach at at gustavus adolphus college and founder of tennis and life camps, steve wilkinson, has passed away wednesday at the age of 73.
He has guided gustavus adolphus to nine consecutive miac championships. Steve wilkinson march 29, 1941 january 21, 2015 was an american tennis player and tennis coach. As the head coach of gustavus adolphus college mens tennis team from 1971 till 2009, wilkinson was the coach with most wins in the history of collegiate mens tennis 929. He has coached 46 players to 87 allamerican honors. Coach steve wilkinson has turned the tennis program into a world class standard. Steve wilkinson tennis january 21, 2015 was an american tennis player and tennis coach. Conferencechampion gustavus headlines 2014 miac mens. Live and share the three crowns at gustavus mens tennis coach and sport ethics professor favorite movie. Nov 14, 2014 former head coach of the mens tennis team steve wilkinson has inspired his students, athletes, coworkers, and so many others through his coaching and his life principles conveyed in his book let love serve. Dan james was formerly pcaseattle executive director.
However, wilkinson s coaching success is defined by his refusal to focus on winning. I took my first tennis lesson from john wilkinson, mike wilkinson is one of my best friends since high school and steve wilkinson has been a tremendous influence in teaching, playing and coaching. More impressive is the fact that wilkinson is the alltime winningest coach in ncaa tennis history with 923 career wins, more than any coach in. Obituary steve wilkinson saint peter funeral home klein. Steve wilkinson, left, shakes hands with ronda mccully after signing a copy of his book let love serve on tuesday at the indoor tennis center in rochester. Continue a successful tradition at gustavus as mens tennis coach and sports ethics instructor. Peter authors tennis and life book emphasizes serving. Featuring news, bio, rankings, playing activity, coach, stats, winloss, points breakdown, videos. Wilkinsons book will be discussed at a soup and sandwich seminar from 11. Steve wilkinsons life workshared in this bookanswers that question. After the tennis social, we walked through the student union past the book store. A 2002 gustavus graduate and fouryear letterwinner on the tennis team. Steve wilkinson assistant coach phillip townsend assistant coach matt selba assistant coach rusty wallace assistant coach official sports website for indian river hs. Interpretive center will host let love serve discussion.
The team has only lost three miac championships since wilkinson took over, making it the third winningest team in division iii. The two of you would have gotten along beautifully. He played college tennis at gustavus adolphus college and began his coaching career under his head coach steve wilkinson at tennis and life camps. Steve wilkinson intercollegiate tennis association. However, i was fortunate enough to play for steve wilkinson the winningest tennis coach in ncaa history. After the tennis social, we walked through the student union past the book. Jan 09, 2009 coaches, boys single and doubles champions, dark horse teams, dynasty teams, and tennis families are some of the topics in the 10 chapters and seven appendixes of holdens book, along with a foreword by steve wilkinson, the incredibly successful tennis coach at gustavus adolphus, creator of the tennis and life camps, and nationally ranked usta player.
Steve wilkinson college coach of the year award kim gidley colorado springs, co in 2019, kim gidley led the air force academy womens tennis team to a 223 record, which tied a school record for wins and set a new division i era program record. The days match represented a daunting task because the black team was the junior varsity from the division iii school facing off against gramblings division ii varsity. Steve wilkinson college coach of the year award kim gidley colorado springs, co. Known as the winningest coach in college tennis, over the course of his 39year coaching career, steve led the gusties to multiple conference and national championships. Steve wilkinson 19410329march 29, 1941 20150121january 21, 2015 was an american tennis player and tennis coach. With 39 years at the helm of the gustavus adolphus colleges mens tennis program in st. His approach has impacted varsity players at gustavus adolphus college, students studying world religions and sport ethics, and thousands of people attending tennis and life camps. In socializing with the current coach tommy valentini, we learned even more about the grit and determination of coach wilkinson. Tommy valentini is in his 11th year as head coach of the gustavus mens tennis team in 201920. Coaches, boys single and doubles champions, dark horse teams, dynasty teams, and tennis families are some of the topics in the 10 chapters and seven appendixes of holdens book, along with a foreword by steve wilkinson, the incredibly successful tennis coach at gustavus adolphus, creator of the tennis and life camps, and nationally ranked usta player. The winner is set to be announced at the usptas world conference virtual event on wednesday, september 23. Jan 21, 2015 steve wilkinson, longtime mens tennis coach at gustavus adolphus college and founder of tennis and life camps, passed away on wednesday, january 21 at the age of 73 after courageously living with cancer for nearly seven years.
The book is available from the author, from bookhouse fulfillment or by calling 180090480. For 40 years, hes used tennis to teach life star tribune. Anyone who plays tennis needs this book, let love serve, by one of the worlds top. Steve wilkinson, longtime mens tennis coach at gustavus adolphus college and founder of tennis and life camps, passed away on. As a collegiate tennis coach, wilkinson led the gustavus mens team to a 3341.
Steve wilkinson, the legendary tennis coach at minnesotas gustavus. In 2019, kim gidley led the air force academy womens tennis team to a 223 record, which tied a school record for wins and set a new division i era program record. Official tennis player profile of steve wilkinson on the atp tour. A visitation for wilkinson was held january 30, and funeral services. Coach wilkinson is one of the most renowned coaches in the history of college sports. Oct 05, 20 with 39 years at the helm of the gustavus adolphus colleges mens tennis program in st. His greatest accomplishments include winning the national title for ncaa division iii twice in 1980 and 1982 along with having the most wins as a college tennis coach with 929 victories. Included in steve wilkinson s 923 coaching wins at ncaa division iii gustavus is an amazing 3341 dual meet record against minnesota intercollegiate athletic conferences foes. Steve wilkinsons life workshared in this book answers that question. He lived as full a life as anyone ive known, but it was still too short. Former mens tennis coach steve wilkinson inducted into. Wilkinsons three crowns worth living by local sports.
However wilkinson s coaching success is defined by his refusal to focus on winning. A very unusual arrangement, the endowment provides for one of the most secure tennis coaching positions in the nation, while reinforcing wilkinsons vision to promote ethics on and off the court. My claim to fame consists of playing collegiate tennis on the division iii level at gustavus adolphus college in st. Kim gidley named uspta national coach of the year air. Peter mn im firmly entrenched in the hall of average. Butorac, one of the worlds top doubles players, asked wilkinson to coach him. True friendship and a contagious laugh what ive learned. His favorite book was the little engine that could, which taught him. Sep 30, 2011 since he began coaching in 1970, steve wilkinson coached gustavus to 35 miac titles, 15 consecutive ncaa appearances, two ncaa division iii team titles and was honored as the national coach of the year five times. Wilsonita coach of the year steve wilkinson, gustavus adolphus tennis magazineita arthur ashe award tommy valentini, gustavus adolphus ita senior player of the year johnny watson, coe ita rookie player of the year nilesh saldanha, wooster ita player to watch jeronie barnes, denison west wilsonita coach of the year bob hansen, ucsanta cruz. Dan james worked for the united states tennis association where he led the wheelchair tennis program coaching at 5 paralympics.
Wilkinson also played a key role in the fundraising and construction of the gustavus tennis facilities, which are considered to be among the finest in the nation. The falcons became the first service academy womens tennis team to be ranked in the top 50. King, who writes, a powerful lifechanging philosophy by a respected tennis coach. Aug 18, 2019 s e rv i n g t h e p u b l i c s i n c e 1 878 w i n n e r o f 19 p u l i tz e r p r i z e s. He coached here for 39 years 19712009, capturing the miac title 36 times. Steve wilkinson, the head mens tennis coach at gustavus adolphus college for the past 39 years and the winningest coach in mens tennis collegiate history with 923 victories, has announced that he will retire from coaching at the end of the current school year. The book includes profiles of every singles and doubles champion from. Tennis in the northland book chronicles history of boys high. Beginning his coaching career in 1970, steve wilkinson coached the gusties to 35 miac titles, 15 consecutive ncaa appearances, two ncaa. Born in sioux city, iowa, wilkinson picked up a racket at age 3 and threw a fit until my parents would throw me tennis balls, he said. When legends collide a tale in gustavus adolphus tennis history. Interpretive center will host let love serve discussion the. Orlando after being recognized as the top womens tennis coach in the region this summer, nm state bench boss emily wang is in the.
Barb and steve wilkinson directed tlc from 1977 to 2010. A coach can move a singles players up only if their winning percentage is better than the players they are replacing. He was the winningest coach in college tennis while at gustavus adolphus college for. The winningest coach in the history of mens college tennis, steve wilkinson presided over the gustavus adolphus college mens tennis. Tommy valentini is in his 11th year as head coach of the gustavus mens tennis team in 201920 school year. Steve wilkinson 19410329march 29, 1941 20150121 january 21, 2015 was an american tennis player and tennis coach. Tennis in the northland is a comprehensive history of boys high school tennis in minnesota. Thousands of former students, athletes, and campers have credited steve s clear, simple and profound teachings as being at the core of who they are today. Steve wilkinson recently completed his 34th season as the head coach of the mens tennis team. Gidley took home national coach of the year honors for the second time in her career, also earning the same honor in 2017. Jun 18, 2011 born in sioux city, iowa, wilkinson picked up a racket at age 3 and threw a fit until my parents would throw me tennis balls, he said.
802 484 71 1497 1510 1265 1433 73 110 244 1281 1402 1234 121 1090 1482 1215 109 1359 740 381 1442 355 622 855 813 1362 1519 1355