The University of Akron Athletics
Padgett Signs Two-Year Contract Extension to Lead Zips Women's Tennis
December 04 | Women's Tennis
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AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron women's tennis head coach Brandon Padgett has agreed to a two-year contract extension through May 2016, which was recently approved by the University's Board of Trustees. He previously had received a two-year extension in November 2012.
"Brandon has turned our program into one that consistently competes for championships while maintaining its history of high academic achievement," UA Director of Athletics Tom Wistrcill said. "We are pleased to be able to extend our commitment and reward him for a job well done."
Now in his fourth season as coach of the Zips, Padgett led his first two Zips squads to Mid-American Conference Tournament championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2011 and 2012 – the first two in the history of the program.
In 2013, the UA doubles team of seniors Angelina Jogasuria and Prang Pantusart was selected to compete in the NCAA Doubles Championship, after the entire team advanced to the semifinal round of the MAC Tournament for the fourth-consecutive year and fourth time in program history. Jogasuria and Pantusart ranked 43rd nationally in the final Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) poll.
"I am extremely pleased and thankful for the belief that Tom, (Senior Associate AD/Senior Woman Administrator) Mary Lu Gribschaw and the University has shown in our abilities as a coaching staff," Padgett said. "We continue to work hard every day to provide the best overall experience for our student-athletes. This contract extension sends a message to current and future players that our coaching staff has a love for this University and for our players, and a passion for continued success."
Over the last three years the team has placed nine student-athletes on the All-MAC Team and performed off the court as well, with five Zips chosen as Academic All-MAC. The program earned the ITA's All-Academic Team Award in 2010-11 and 2012-13, and placed three student-athletes on the ITA Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll in 2010-11, two in 2011-12 and three more in 2012-13.
The team received a Public Recognition Award from the NCAA in June as its multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) was in the top-10 percent of all women's tennis squads nationally.
Under Padgett, the Zips have faced an increasingly competitive non-conference schedule and met it head on with victories in recent years over Big Ten foes Michigan State and Penn State as well as SEC member Kentucky, Big East opponents Cincinnati and Louisville, and Oregon of the Pac-12.
The Zips begin the spring component of the 2013-14 season on Jan. 16 at Robert Morris.
Players Mentioned
