Shelley George Joins Orange Tennis Staff

Syracuse, N.Y.- Shelley George has joined the Syracuse women’s tennis staff as an assistant coach. George was appointed by head coach Luke Jensen to assist in his first season with the Orange.

“I am excited for the great opportunity to be coaching tennis at Syracuse University,” George said. “Tennis has been my passion throughout my life and I am looking forward to working with Coach Jensen at Syracuse, developing championship players and teams.”

George has a diverse and successful background in tennis with more than 25 years of experience. In 1986, George began several longstanding ventures in the Iowa City community. From 1986-2005, she was the head girl’s tennis coach at City High in Iowa City. George was named coach of the year in 1993, 1996 and 2005 and was the USPTR Coach of the Year in 2004.

George also served as the co-director of the University of Iowa’s Recreation Building from 1986-1997, where she was responsible for all tennis activities, including running sports camps, facilitating two head coach searches and serving as a volunteer assistant coach.

“I am ecstatic about this hire,” Jensen said. “Dr. Gross allowed me to go out and get the person I needed to create the kind of tennis program I envision Syracuse can be; in the varsity and club teams, and throughout the community. We want to create national champions and professional tennis players in the United States and Shelley will be the backbone of the program. Her experience at every level is extraordinary. We have common expectations of our student-athletes, both on the court and in the classroom.”

George was the Director of Tennis at the North Dodge Athletic Club in Iowa City for the past nine years. Through her leadership and direction the NDAC was named "Facility of the Year" by the United States Tennis Association Iowa District. She was also a director and coach at the USTA Competition Training Center for the past 19 years.

George has worked with the USTA National Collegiate Committee for the past two years and was named the committee’s chair in November 2006. She is the Vice President of the USTA Missouri Valley Section. George played tennis at St. Ambrose University for two seasons before transferring to the University of Iowa where she received a degree in communications in 1981.

The Orange opens its 2007 schedule when it hosts Yale on January 26 at 5:00 p.m.

Syracuse University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos