Oct. 1, 2004

WACO, Texas - Matt Knoll, director of tennis operations and head men's tennis coach, was recently named College Coach of the Year by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA). The USPTA, the world's oldest and largest association of tennis-teaching professionals, hosted its annual 10-day World Conference at the La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, Calif., recently and Knoll was presented with the award at an awards breakfast.

Knoll, a native of Pittsburg, Kan., led the Baylor men's team to the 2004 NCAA Division I championship. The Bears, who were undefeated in the Big 12 regular season and championship tournament, beat UCLA 4-0 in the NCAA final. The Bears have won four Big 12 championships -- 2000 and 2002-2004. Baylor finished the season with a 32-2 record and was ranked No. 1 in the final season rankings by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Benjamin Becker won the NCAA singles championships and along with Benedikt Dorsch and Matija Zgaga, earned All-American honors.

Knoll's career coaching record now stands at 182-64 (.740) and he is 174-48 (.784) in his eight years at Baylor. Knoll has been a USPTA member since 1994.

USPTA College Coach of the Year honorees:
2004 - Matt Knoll, Baylor
2003 - David T. Porter, Ed.D., BYU-Hawaii
2002 - David T. Porter, Ed.D., BYU-Hawaii
2001 - Craig Tiley, University of Illinois
2000 - Paul Kostin, Virginia Commonwealth
1999 - Billy Pate, Georgia Perimeter College
1998 - Andy Brandi, University of Florida
1997 - Norma Taylor, Brown
1996 - John Peterson, Tyler Junior College
1995 - Bernard "Tut" Bartzen, Texas Christian University
1994 - Paul Xanthos, Pierce College
1993 - Jim Moortgat, University of Mobile
1992 - Bal Moore
1991 - John Officer, Navy
1990 - Mike DePalmer, Tennessee
1989 - Bill Tym, Vanderbilt
1988 - Andy Brandi, Florida
1987 - Tommy Bartlett, UT-Chattanooga; Frank Brennan, Stanford
1986 - Chuck Kriese, Clemson
1985 - Frank Brennan, Stanford