Illini Tennis Bids Farewell to Assistant Coach Kent Kinnear
July 16, 2007 | Men's Tennis
July 16, 2007
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois men's tennis team and Advantage Illini joined together to bid assistant coach Kent Kinnear a warm farewell on Sunday night at the Champaign Country Club, as the two organizations hosted a goodbye reception for the former Illinois coach. Kinnear has recently accepted a job with the United State Tennis Association and its Player Development programs and will be one of 10 USTA national coaches in charge of producing tomorrow's ATP stars.
"It has been an incredible two years for my family and I as we have been welcomed into this great Illini family," Kinnear said about his experience with the Orange and Blue. "I would like to thank Ron Guenther, Vince Ille and the entire DIA for their leadership and support that enabled both Brad and I as coaches and each team member to have the opportunities to excel and succeed here at U of I. A special thanks goes out to Janice Revell, Jim Tressler, Alex Voss and the entire Atkins Tennis Center staff for the incredible work that they do and the support they have given me over the past two years."
Those in attendance at the reception to give their best wishes to the Kinnear family included current and former members of the Illinois men's tennis team, a number of booster club members from Advantage Illini, Atkins and DIA staff members and good friend and fellow coach, head coach Brad Dancer.
"Tonight's event was a great chance for the entire Illinois tennis family to remark and reminisce about Kent's time here with the Illini," Dancer said. "Current and former players, along with myself, had a chance to tell stories about Kent that just reminded us of his great moral character and tremendous generosity that he has displayed towards this program. We wish him nothing but the best for the future."
Kinnear is set to begin his duties on July 16 with the USTA player development staff, which is stationed in Boca Raton, Fla., as he will help coach the United States men's tennis team at the Pan American games - opening ceremonies for the games took place on July 13. The games are being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, while the tennis portion of the games begins on the 16th.
