May had a 132-70 Oneonta State College in New York.
LAKELAND--Fire Athletics Director, Duane Aagaard, has officially named Bill May the new Director of Tennis at Southeastern University. May was officially introduced, at a special press conference, last Friday afternoon, in the Mi Casa Cafe.
May will oversee the day-to-day operations of the women's tennis program, and the newly started men's tennis program beginning immediately. He officially joined the Fire last week when he coached the women's team to a 5-4 victory over Ave Maria University. The men's program will not begin official competition until next fall, allowing May the opportunity to begin recruiting immediately for next season.
“Bill’s heart to integrate his faith as a coach is what brought him back to Christian Higher Education,” said Southeastern Athletics Director Duane Aagaard. "He is a program builder, and he has proved that at Huntington College, Indiana Wesleyan University, and Oneonta State College. Not only is Bill going to revive our women’s program, specifically adding quantity in addition to the quality of girls on the roster, but he has been commissioned to launch men’s tennis for the first time at Southeastern University.”
Before taking the job at Southeastern, May spent seven seasons at Oneonta State University, in Oneonta, N.Y. Similar to the task at hand with the Fire, he was responsible for coaching both the men's and women's tennis programs.
Last year, he helped guide the women's program to a third place finish in the SUNYAC championships, as the Red Dragons had three individuals earn SUNYAC All-Conference honors. The men’s team achieved an overall record of 8-7, against some of the top teams in the Northeast Region. By mid-March, the men achieved a ranking of No. 19 in the Northeast, which marked the second time during May's tenure that the men's program earned a top 25 ranking in the region.
He leaves Oneonta State with a 132-70 record (men’s and women’s tennis combined).
"Southeastern University is an ideal home for students seeking to grow in their faith, to be challenged intellectually, and to have new experiences," said May. "I am so excited to be a small part of the opportunity to serve and grow with my student-athletes."
Before joining the Red Dragons, May spent three seasons at Indiana Wesleyan University, where he posted a 60-10 record while coaching the men’s tennis program. His best season with the Wildcats came in 2003, when he led the program to a 19-3 mark, and a second place finish in the NCCAA National Championship Tournament. May twice led Indiana Wesleyan to the Mid-Central College Conference Championships, and was twice named Conference Coach of the Year.
"He is one of the nicest people you will ever meet, and he is a winner not only on the court but also as a wonderful Christian model for his student athletes," stated Terry Porter, current women's tennis coach at Indiana Wesleyan University. "Southeastern is very fortunate to have someone dedicated to building a successful program as Bill will do in the near future. I am very proud of Bill and can hardly wait to see the results of his labor at Southeastern."
Prior to his stint with Indiana Wesleyan, he served as the Sports Information Director and men’s and women’s tennis coach at Huntington College for four seasons. While at Huntington, he was named Coach of the Year for men's tennis in 1998. In 2000, he led the men’s team to the MCC Tournament Championship, while earning Coach of the Year honors for both programs that season.
Also at Huntington, May received the NAIA National Coach of the Year honors for community service (1999), which was awarded by the United States Tennis Association.
May has coached nine NAIA/NCCAA All-Americans and 20 NAIA/NCCAA Scholar-Athlete All-Americans. He also served as the chair for both programs within the Mid-Central Conference, and Region VIII of the NCAA. While coaching at IWU and Huntingdon, May guided his teams to five NAIA national championship berths and five top-25 national rankings.
"I am looking forward to the process of developing the women's tennis program, and starting a brand new program in men's tennis," added May. "With the leadership of our Athletic Director, Duane Aagaard, and the support of our administration, faculty, staff, and athletic department, I feel confident that the program will be very successful."
He is a graduate of Marion College, holding a bachelor's degree in social work, with supporting areas in psychology and sociology. May has earned two degrees from Indiana Wesleyan University. In 1992, he earned his second degree bachelor's degree, this time in secondary education and social studies while he completed a master's degree in management in 2005.
His wife, Tammy, has served as an assistant tennis coach the past four seasons at Oneonta State. She is currently employed by the Special Education Department for the Oneonta School District.
"Me and my wife are incredibly excited to be joining the family of Southeastern University; it is the faith based extended family that we've been searching for, and we hope to become heavily involved in our new community," stated May.