6.24.10 | Tennis

Former Baker tennis star named Head Tennis Coach

Joe Ahmadian will take over as head coach beginning July 1, 2010.

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - Former Baker tennis player Joe Ahmadian has been named the head men’s and women’s tennis coach at Baker University, announced Baker Associate Athletic Director Theresa Yetmar on Thursday.

A Dallas product, Ahmadian was named the 2007 Baker University Athlete of the Year during his senior season before being named an assistant tennis coach at Baker in 2008.

After completing his degree in 2008, Ahmadian became a certified teaching professional at the Midtown Athletic Club in Overland Park, Kan. Ahmadian was an assistant coach at Free State High School in Lawrence, Kan., in 2009 while serving as the assistant head professional at the Jayhawk Tennis Facility.

Anderson to step down as tennis coach

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Baker University Interim Athletics Director Dr. Pat Long announced that men’s and women’s tennis coach Bruce Anderson will be stepping down from his position to assume a new position as Associate Professor of Political Science at Florida Southern College. Baker will begin a search for a new coach this Friday.

Theresa Yetmar, Associate Athletics Director, noted that “Bruce has been an asset to our Athletics Department, both as an Assistant Coach and our Head Coach for the past two seasons. He has guided our tennis teams with enthusiasm, passion, and dedication. We are thankful for his leadership. Our tennis programs have a history of success, and we will continue to build on the current foundation that has been established. We will work diligently to find the best fit for Baker University tennis moving forward.”

Women record wins for Baker

St. Louis, Mo. — Junior Molly Flanigan and freshman Lauren Thames highlighted Baker University’s performance at weekend tennis matches in the St. Louis area.

Flanigan recorded her second win in two outings with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over McKendree’s Alison Holloway. Flanigan topped Megan Groninger of William Jewell the previous weekend.

Thames (pictured) brought home the other Baker victory with a 3-6, 6-2, 3-0 win over Lindenwood’s Andrea Aguilar, who defaulted.