Kennett leaves ISU men's tennis post

[June 18, 2007]  NORMAL -- Greg Kennett resigned as the Illinois State men's tennis coach on Friday, ending his eight-year run with the program. Kennett's wife, Christie, an attorney with State Farm Insurance, accepted a position with the company in California. 

"I would like to wish Greg and the Kennett family nothing but the best of luck in their newest endeavor," Illinois State Director of Athletics Dr. Sheahon Zenger said. "I would also like to thank Greg for his contributions to the athletics department and Illinois State tennis over the last eight years. He has brought Redbird men's tennis to new heights, and we hope to continue that progression."

As the two-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year (2003 and 2006), Kennett led the Redbirds to winning records in seven of eight seasons, highlighted by Illinois State's first-ever regular-season championship in 2006. In addition to his 115 wins, Kennett also mentored six Valley individual champions, four Valley doubles champions, seven Valley scholar-athletes and 14 all-conference selections.

"Through the game, I have met so many great people in the community, and it has been a joy to be part of the tennis community in Bloomington-Normal," Kennett said. "I've been a Redbird fan since I could crawl, and it has been such an honor to be a part of this campus and to lead the men's tennis program. I'm proud of what we have accomplished, and I feel that we brought some great players to Illinois State. I will definitely miss being a part of the athletics department, the atmosphere and the student-athletes. The program is in great shape, and with the new tennis facility in line there are great things ahead for Redbird tennis."

The Bloomington native was also a member of the NCAA men's tennis selection and Intercollegiate Tennis Association committees, while serving as the chair of the ITA Region 5 committee.

Kennett also served as a mentor for youth tennis players around the Midwest. Since 2000, Kennett coached the United States Tennis Association Middle Illinois Junior Davis Cup team during the summer months. He also guided the USTA Area Training Team in St. Louis from 1997-99 and the USTA Missouri Valley Sectional Zonal 12s and 16s team from 1995 to 1998.

Prior to coaching at Illinois State, Kennett coached in Washington, Mo., for two seasons. Kennett's teams went a combined 35-9, which included six wins against Division I opponents, and he had one player advance to the NCAA Division III national title match.

As a product of Bloomington High School, Kennett captured the state's doubles championship in 1985. He began his collegiate career at Eastern Michigan but transferred to Illinois after two seasons. With the Illini, he was named team captain. In 1991, Kennett graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science.

[Text from file received from Todd Kober, assistant athletics director, media relations, Illinois State University]