Hale Honored by USPTA
2/25/2020 10:08:00 AM | General, Men's Tennis
Kendell Hale Named Missouri Valley Region College Coach of the Year
KANSAS CITY – This past weekend, Kansas City Head Tennis Coach Kendell Hale was honored by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) as the 2019 College Coach of the Year in the Missouri Valley region.
"It's great to be nominated by your peers and see the work you do bring attention to the great sport of tennis," Hale said.
Hale earns this prestigious award after leading the 2019 women's team to 11 wins and an appearance in the Western Athletic Conference semifinals, while taking men's tennis to 10 victories and a WAC semifinal bid.
Hale has been a member of the USPTA for over 25 years, and is currently recognized as the certified tester for the Kansas City area, as well as having served as president of the Missouri Valley Division, which includes areas of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Iowa.
Over his career, Hale has compiled a long list of awards and accomplishments, including 11 conference championships in two different conferences (WAC and Summit League), seven NCAA tournament appearances, two Division I AAA Director's Cup Awards, six conference Player of the Year awards, three Freshman of the Year awards and multiple ITA All-Academic teams and scholar-athletes.
"Of course, the credit goes to all of the players over the years," Hale said. "I have had some amazing athletes, but more importantly, some amazing people whom I still consider family."
Hale is currently leading the women's team as it searches for its third NCAA qualification in the last four years. Additionally, he is leading the men's team in its final season as a program. They will be searching for their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2017.
"I was the first full-time coach and wanted to put KC Roos tennis on the Division I map," Hale said. "Fourteen years later and I've done what I set out to do."