Men's and women's tennis head coach
Bill Vahle announced on Wednesday that he will retire from his coaching position at Lindenwood University.
"The individual seasons have always had theirs ups and downs," said Vahle. "I remember winning conference championships that we weren't supposed to win, and I also remember disappointments along the way as well. In the end, it's the relationships that matter, certainly with the student-athletes, but also with support staff, other coaches, trainers, administrators, and others. I'm delighted to have had this opportunity, and I wish future teams and coaches only the best."
Vahle just completed his 12th season leading both programs. He coached the women to nine victories that awarded them a berth into the MIAA postseason tournament. On the men's side, Vahle helped his team to eight wins and No. 1 singles and doubles player,
Filip Bogic, to 25 individual victories for the season, and 101 for his four-year career as a Lion. In his final game as head coach, Vahle and the Lions went out victorious when they defeated Missouri-St. Louis by a 6-3 score last Wednesday.
Since joining the MIAA in 2012-13, Vahle has helped Lindenwood win 15 all-conference honors. Off the court, it has won 63 academic honor roll awards, eight MIAA Scholar-Athlete awards, and seven MIAA Academic Excellence honors. Men's tennis player Yoshikazu Ysa earned Academic All-District honors in 2014, the first tennis player at Lindenwood to win that accolade, and
Filip Bogic won the same honor in 2016.
As head coach, Vahle won a combined 226 duals between both programs. His stint as the men's coach ends with an overall record of 117-104-1 and one conference championship. The women's team registered a 109-126-1 record and two conference championships during his tenure. He was also named NAIA Regional Women's Coach of the Year for the 2006-07 season.
His most successful season occurred during the 2007-08 year when he led the Lions to an overall record of 20-5 and a berth into the NAIA National Tournament, despite the team losing their No. 1 player due to an injury. The Lions also finished the year as the No. 16-ranked program in the NAIA. During the 2014-15 season, the Lions collected their first MIAA Tournament victory in program history with a 5-4 win over Emporia State.
On the women's side, Vahle's best season came in the 2006-07 season thanks to a 20-4 record and titles at the HAAC and NAIA Regional Tournaments, and a second-round appearance at the NAIA Tournament. He also led the women to an HAAC Tournament title, and qualified for nationals, in 2009-10.
Vahle will continue to focus on his primary occupation as an Associate Professor of Management in the School of Business and Entrepreneurship. Lindenwood will begin a national search for a new head coach for the 2017-18 seasons.
