WISE - - The University of Virginia's College at Wise (UVA Wise) Director of Athletics Kendall Rainey announced Wednesday the hiring of Alex Hunt as the new Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach. Hunt comes to Wise from the University of Texas-Permian Basin (UTPB), where he coached both the women's and men's programs.

Hunt recently was named the Wilson ITA South Central Region Men's Tennis Coach of the Year after a historic 2024 spring season for the UTPB Men's Tennis team who won the Lone Star Conference (LSC) Championship and the NCAA Division II South Central Region Championship, making the NCAA DII Sweet 16 and finishing with a 20-5 overall record. He also coached the first UTPB women's player to receive an ITA national ranking in program history and the LSC men's Player of the Year.

Prior to UTPB Hunt served as Head Men's and Women's Tennis Coach at Western New Mexico University where also earned Regional Coach of the Year in 2022 along with being named LSC Men's Tennis Coach of the Year in 2022 after leading the program to unprecedented success. He also recruited the highest ranked class in program history for the women's team.

Hunt is the first head tennis coach at UVA Wise to have full-time coaching duties. "It is an exciting time in the life of our tennis programs and we are so excited to welcome Coach Hunt to UVA Wise. Coach Hunt is a proven winner and his success at the NCAA DII level, his drive, and his vision for the program align perfectly with our mission of taking UVA Wise tennis and athletics to new heights. His experience and values of hard work and relentlessly pursuing goals are elite and we are energized around this pursuit," stated Rainey.

"I'm super excited to join the UVA Wise Athletics department as the next head men's and women's tennis coach. Dr. Rainey and Dr. Henry have built up an incredible amount of resources for the athletic department and the university as a whole," said Hunt. "So much investing into UVA Wise is happening and after listening to Dr. Rainey's vision, and molding it with my vision, I get goosebumps just thinking about it. Crazy success doesn't always happen immediately, although it certainly can. Through the process I have set for these programs, there is no reason we shouldn't be winning at the national stage very soon. Keep track of the UVA Wise men's and women's tennis programs over the next few years. Watch our #ThePursuit team culture take off. It's going to be fun to watch. Go Cavs!"

Hunt is a native of Odessa, Texas and competed at Hardin-Simmons University where he earned a bachelor's degree in social studies and a master of Kinesiology, Sports, & Recreation Management degree. During his playing career he earned multiple NCAA DIII National Rankings; was American Southwest Conference (ASC) West MVP as a senior; and ASC West Freshman of the Year and MVP in his first year.

Rainey continued, "Coach Hunt is a passionate coach who has strong vision for the program and we are impressed with his expectations. A competitive player, a talented recruiter, and a visionary coach poised to lead."

"I'd like to thank my beautiful wife, Megan, and our two amazing kids, Johnny and Margo, for being my rock," said Hunt. "Through the highs and lows of life they always fill my days with so much love and happiness. I can't wait for this journey with them. I'd also like to thank my parents, grandparents, Shane Williford of Hardin-Simmons University Tennis and Wade Morgan of Dallas Baptist University Tennis for their continued support and love throughout my life and career."

UVA Wise partnered with Mammoth Sports Consulting to assist in the search for its new head tennis coach. Mammoth Vice President Kurt Patberg led the search effort.
A public liberal arts college located in Wise, Virginia, UVA Wise fields 17 intercollegiate athletic teams competing in the NCAA Division II and the South Atlantic Conference.

#GoCavsGo

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