SAN ANTONIO – Trinity University Director of Athletics Bob King  today announced the restructuring of coaching and staff positions for men’s and women’s tennis.

Beginning Aug. 1, Butch Newman will assume the new position of Director of Tennis, Russell McMindes will be the head coach of men’s tennis, and Ryan Takao will continue as head coach of the women’s tennis team.

“The restructuring of positions will allow us to better address the needs of the tennis program,’’ Mr. King said. “We were able to hire two outstanding head coaches and establish the new position of Director of Tennis by reallocating existing funding.

“The change of responsibilities will give Butch the opportunity to focus on achieving the long term goals of developing an outstanding on-campus facility for men’s and women’s tennis, recruiting academically qualified and athletically talented student athletes , and to continue to cultivate a relationship with former tennis student- athletes from the Division I and Division III eras.”

Mr. King concluded, “Over the past 50 years, Trinity has established one of the great programs in the history of intercollegiate tennis for men and women. Today’s announcement will help us to enhance the rich tradition of Trinity tennis!”

Coach Newman has coached the Tiger men’s team since 1986, and guided the Trinity women from 1991 to 2008. He led both Tiger teams to the NCAA playoffs and Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships. Coach Newman was named national coach of the year on three occasions.

 A crowning achievement occurred in 2000, when the Tiger men and women captured the NCAA Division III Championships, minutes apart and in two different states.

“Coaching the tennis teams at Trinity University has made the past 23 years of my life extremely meaningful,” coach Newman said. “But, I know that Russell is the right man to take over the reins. The future of Trinity tennis is exciting and I am happy to be a continuing part of it.”

Coach Newman was a two-time All-American at Trinity in 1963 and 1965. His 53-2 singles record is the best in Tiger history. He was inducted into the Trinity University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

Coach McMindes has completed seven seasons as the Trinity men’s assistant coach. He was a three-year letter winner for the Tigers and was a member of Trinity’s 2000 NCAA Division III national championship team. Coach McMindes earned a bachelor’s degree from Trinity in engineering science in 2002. A resident of San Antonio, he was the Clemens High School valedictorian in 1997.

“I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to become part of the history and tradition that goes with becoming Trinity tennis men's head coach,” said coach McMindes, who also was a tennis professional at the San Antonio Country Club. “Coach Newman is a legend, and there is no way to replace him. We are fortunate to have him continue as director of tennis.”

Coach Takao, who took over the women’s team in the fall of 2008, has completed 13 years as a coach with the Tiger tennis program. He served as the women’s tennis assistant under coach Newman, and was on board when the Tigers captured the NCAA championship. Coach Takao earned the bachelor of arts in humanities from Trinity in 1996 and was a four-year letter winner on the Tiger men’s team. He helped lead Trinity to three consecutive SCAC titles. Coach Takao was named to the All-SCAC Team twice in his career, and spearheaded Trinity to four NCAA postseason appearances.

“Russell is a great addition,” said coach Takao about his colleague. “He has a lot of heart and spirit. It’s nice to know a Tiger alum is taking the reins and continuing the Trinity tennis legacy.”

And coach Newman could not be more pleased that two people he mentored are now running the teams. 

“I am really excited to have two of my former players leading the charge as head men’s coach and head women’s coach,” coach Newman said. “I am confident and excited about the future of Trinity tennis, that these two young men will add to the program.”