N.C. State assistant to fill tennis coaching job

Southeast Missouri State University has had one of the Ohio Valley Conference's worst women's tennis teams for years.

Mike Stevens believes he can change that, and he'll get the chance after he was hired Thursday to coach the Otahkians. He'll begin his new duties Aug. 26.

"I'm really excited about this opportunity and I can't wait to get going," said Stevens, an assistant coach at North Carolina State. "The OVC is a very good conference with tough teams but I think in a couple of years we can get to the point where we're very competitive in the conference and challenging for the title. That's my goal."

Stevens, 37, said Southeast's tennis complex that opened in 2000 and his recruiting connections should help him improve the program.

"The facilities are great, one of the best in the conference," he said. "I've had a lot of experience recruiting both nationally and internationally, and Southeast is an easy school to sell. We should be able to bring in good players."

Southeast has gone 16-64 the past five years, including 2-17 last season. The Otahkians return most of their personnel from last year so Stevens won't be able to bring many new players right away, but he said he hopes to bring in at least one by January.

Stevens has seven years of NCAA Division I coaching experience. He was an assistant at Yale for two seasons and interim head coach in the spring of 2000, leading the Yale women to a 15-6 overall mark and a 6-1 record in the Ivy League.

From 1990 to 1994, Stevens was head men's and women's coach at Rider University. He has also served three years as a tennis pro at a private club in North Carolina.

"We're delighted to be able to hire Mike Stevens," said Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman. "He has solid Division I experience and should be able to develop a competitive tennis team in the Ohio Valley Conference."

A 1987 graduate of Richmond University, Stevens and his wife, Trudy, have a two-year old son, David.

Stevens, who is currently in North Carolina, said he plans to return to Cape Girardeau this weekend to look for a house and hopes to move his family by the end of next week.

"My family is excited about making the move," Stevens said. "I was really impressed with Cape Girardeau during my interview."

Stevens said he hopes to reach out to the community as well as coach the Otahkians.

"I want to get the community involved in our program and I will be offering free clinics for both youngsters and adults," he said.

Stevens replaces Donna Ryan, whose contract was not renewed after coaching the Otahkians for five seasons. She was hired as a part-time coach while Stevens will be full-time.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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