Monroe Walker Hired as Head Tennis Coach at TSU

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State Director of Athletics Teresa Phillips announced the hiring Monroe Walker to the position of head men’s and women’s tennis coach, Monday.

“I am pleased to announce the hiring of Monroe Walker to lead our tennis programs here at Tennessee State,” Phillips said. “He has already achieved success in his time as a head coach, and we look forward to him continuing to grow while building our men’s and women’s teams.”

Walker last coached as the head men’s and women’s coach at Graceland University (2011-15). Prior to that stint, Walker served a graduate assistant at TSU.

“I am very excited to come back to Tennessee State where I received my Master’s Degree,” Walker said. “I have learned a lot since then, so I am looking forward to building this program up and allow players to succeed on and off the court.”

He earned three consecutive HAAC titles for the Graceland men's team. He also has hosted the ITA Fall Regional (2013, 2014) and HAAC Conference Tournament in his final year with the program.

In 2014, Walker led both the men's and women's team to the HAAC Conference titles and automatic berths into the National Tournament - a program first for Graceland. The men's and women's team both won a round at the National Tournament. It was the first time in Graceland women's history to win a match at Nationals.

Individually, Walker aided Birkir Gunnarrsson to a berth in the National Tournament. Walker also helped 3 student athletes earn ITA All-American accolades including Birkir Gunnarsson who finished as the No. 11 ranked single.

As a high school player, Walker was top-five athlete in the state of Tennessee and a top-50 player in the Southern section in addition to being a Billie Jean King National Tournament participant.

Out of high school, Walker signed to play college tennis at Xavier University (La.). At Xavier, he earned doubles conference champion as a freshman and finished in the top 50 in the NAIA single's rankings.

Additionally, he won freshman of the year and the conference championship his senior year. Walker won over 100 matches in singles and doubles while at Xavier.

Walker graduated from Xavier University with his Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Management before finishing his graduate degree at Tennessee State University in Sports Administration.

Walker's hobbies include working out, sports, movies and listening to music.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION