March 14, 2006
Release courtesy of Dave Blanchard, Luther College sports information director

DECORAH, IOWA . . . The United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), has announced that Luther College men’s tennis coach Brian Huinker has been named the 2005 Missouri Valley Division Coach of the Year.

This is an annual award that is presented to an individual for their hard work, dedication and outstanding contributions to the USPTA Missouri Valley Division and is selected by the board members of that division. The Missouri Valley is comprised of the states of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska and Oklahoma that includes over 350 USPTA certified tennis professionals, high school coaches and college coaches.

The criteria used for the selection process included community service, service to the USPTA, creative programs and involvement at the individuals tennis club, and active players or coaches team’s record.

During the 2005 season, Huinker led the Norse to a school record 25 wins, including a school record 14 in a row. Luther’s 25-10 record raised Huinker’s four-year career mark to 82-39.

Huinker was also instrumental in writing and receiving grants for a multicultural leadership camp that allowed 13 high school students to attend a Luther College summer tennis camp, plus a grant for a middle school after school tennis program that will take place in May.

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