Ken DeKoning, the only women's tennis
coach the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi athletic
department has known, is retiring after nine years with the
program.
DeKoning started the program in 1998
and since that time he has led the Islanders to a 67-75 record that
included a 4-7 in the Islanders' first season in 1999. He led his
team to a 10-4 mark in 2001 as well as a 9-6 mark during the 2004
season. He recently led A&M-Corpus Christi to a 5-12 record in
the Islanders' first season in the Southland Conference.
"Ken DeKoning is one of the kindest men
I have met in all my years in college athletics and he will always
be remembered as a pillar in the history of Texas A&M-Corpus
Christi athletics," said Director of Athletics Brian Teter. "Kenny
has a tremendous reputation in our community and we wish him all
the best as he begins to write a new chapter in his life."
Before entering the Southland
Conference, he led the Islanders to two independent championships
in their final three seasons including a sweep in the 2006
independent championship.
Prior to starting the program, DeKoning
played for the University of Corpus Christi and was a member of the
1971 Tarpon squad that finished fifth in the NCAA Division I
rankings. He was named to the Dean's List in seven of eight
semesters and was mentioned in Who's Who Among Students in American
Colleges and Universities in 1972 and 1973. He was named "Mr. UCC"
in 1973.
"I have been living in Corpus Christi
for over 30 years. I played for the University of CC at that same
location the school is currently in," DeKoning said. "Obviously I
have deep roots and deep appreciation for the opportunity to coach
there for nearly 10 years."
Before joining the UCC team, he was
named the 1965 Sportsman-of-the-Year in his native Suriname. He
represented his country in several international competitions as
well as a member of the Davis Cup team for The Netherlands in 1969.
He also coached the 1975 Venezuelan Davis Cup Team, which faced the
United States.
"It has been a wonderful time and now
its time to pursue some other things in my life and give somebody
else a chance to build on the foundation. We have a great athletic
staff and I will be on the first row to applaud them from now on. I
wish the team all the success in the future," DeKoning said.
