Kent Demars built the SIU-Edwardsville tennis program from nothing. No budget to speak of. No reputation. Just a coach with an eye for talent and a belief that he could win. 

He was right. His teams won seven consecutive NCAA Division II national championships. On that roster: NCAA Division II Champions, Juan Farrow, Arjun Fernando, Ken Flach and Robert Seguso, who together would go on to win the US Open, French Open, Wimbledon twice, Olympic gold and become two of the best doubles players in the world. 

From Edwardsville, Demars moved to South Carolina, where he put two teams in the national top 10 and finished third in the NCAA Division I tournament. He was named ITA-Wilson National Coach of the Year, won the ITA Meritorious Service Award, and finished with more than 600 victories. 

He has been elected to five halls of fame. This is his sixth. 

(2024)