Women's Tennis Head Coach Ingram to Retire
4/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
April 15, 2002
FORT WORTH, Texas - Long-time women's tennis head coach Roland Ingram will retire at the end of this season, it was announced Monday. Ingram, who is completing his 19th season, has been the only full-time head coach in TCU women's tennis history. During his 19 years, his squads have posted 16 winning seasons and through April 15 have put together an overall win-loss mark of 324-154 for a .678 all-time winning percentage.
"I've been coaching either high school, junior college or college since 1966, and I'm going to rest," said Ingram in summing up his decision to retire. "I would like to say 'thanks' to everyone for all of the memories - the players who've played for me, the coaches I've coached against, the players we've played against and the fans. I would not have traded my career for any other profession."
"We appreciate Coach Ingram's long-time service to TCU, and his hard work through the years," said TCU Athletics Director Eric Hyman. "Roland has established a program that has achieved national recognition, while representing great values and many positive things. The future of TCU women's tennis has a solid foundation to build on. We wish Coach Ingram and his family all the best as they move on to the next phase of their lives."
Under Ingram the Frogs have won three conference titles - the Southwest Conference in 1991 and the WAC in both 2000 and 2001. Four of his Frogs, Rene Simpson and Tory Plunkett in 1988 and Lucie Dvorakova and Daria Zoldakova in 2000, earned All-America honors. Ingram's teams have made five NCAA Regional appearances (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001).
The Harlingen, Texas-native was named the Southwest Conference Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1991, then earned WAC Coach of the Year honors in 2000 and 2001. He was also named the 2001 ITA Southwest Region Coach of the Year. In addition, Ingram was inducted into the Texas Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1995, and has served as a coach in several U.S. Olympic Festivals.
Ingram's coaching career began in 1966 at Amarillo High School, where he stayed until taking over the program at Midland Junior College in 1974. In his first season, his Midland squad captured the NJCAA National Championship while also winning the singles and doubles competitions. Prior to coming to TCU, Ingram served as the head tennis professional at Colonial Country Club for seven years.
As a college player at Schreiner College in Kerrville, Texas, Ingram earned national titles in both singles and doubles at the 1961 Junior College Championships. He completed his college years at North Texas, earning both his bachelor's and master's degrees in 1966.
Ingram's Career at TCU
Year: Record (Other Items of Note)
2002: 17-4 (Currently 26th)
2001: 21-4 (NCAA Regional, WAC Champions, Ranked 22nd, WAC Coach of the Year, ITA Southwest Region Coach of the Year)
2000: 21-5 (NCAA Regional, WAC Champions, Ranked 24th, WAC Coach of the Year, Two All-Americans)
1999: 11-8 (Ranked 51st )
1998: 17-7 (NCAA Regional, Ranked 31st)
1997: 17-8 (NCAA Regional, Ranked 44th)
1996: 15-10 (NCAA Regional)
1995: 9-12
1994: 4-16
1993: 13-7
1992: 13-8
1991: 22-7 (SWC Champions, Ranked 24th)
1990: 13-15
1989: 17-9
1988: 12-11 (Ranked 23rd, Two All-Americans)
1987: 19-7 (Ranked 22nd)
1986: 24-6 (Ranked 25th)
1985: 29-6
1984: 30-4
TOTAL: 324-154 (.678 winning percentage)
