January 8, 2009
(release courtesy of Paul Misner, University of Dubuque sports information director)

DUBUQUE, IOWA . . . University of Dubuque Athletic Director Dan Runkle has announced the appointment of Bryan Mours as head men's and women's tennis coach for the University of Dubuque.

Mours will begin his duties immediately for the Spartans. He was the head men’s and women’s coach at Central College in Pella, Iowa, from June 2007 until December 2008. This past fall, Mours shared women’s conference coach of the year honors with Coe head coach Eric Rodgers, in a vote of the league’s coaches.

He piloted the Dutch to their second straight third-place finish at the conference team tournament Oct. 10-11 in Iowa City and a 10-8 dual mark with a 5-3 record against league opponents. Central advanced at least one entry into the semifinals of each of the five flights at the league’s individual tourney (Flights A, B and C singles; Flights A and B doubles). His women’s record is 21-12-1 in dual meets and in his one season at the helm of the men’s team they finished 13-13 in dual meets.

“I am extremely excited to be the next head tennis coach at the University of Dubuque,” commented Mours. “I am committed to continuing to develop the program into one of the best in the Iowa Conference. The University of Dubuque has made a great commitment to athletics and with the upgrade of the tennis facilities and has turned their campus into one of the top tennis facilities in the state of Iowa and the Midwest.”

He replaces former coach Billy Porter, who resigned in November after two seasons to pursue business opportunities in Chicago, Ill.

Mours played for two seasons at the University of Northern Iowa and is a 2000 UNI graduate. He is an experienced tennis instructor, teaching at several private clubs including the Bull's Eye Country Club in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. where he was the head tennis professional for four years.

“I want to thank Dan Runkle and President Jeffrey Bullock for this opportunity,” added Mours. “It allows my wife Tracy, our daughter Rylan, and I to be closer to our families while I continue to follow this dream of coaching collegiate tennis. The University of Dubuque is filled with wonderful people that will make this transition easier for my family and me. We are so excited to be a part of the Spartan Family.”

He coached five seasons at Pella High School as the boys' tennis coach. He previously served as head boys' tennis coach at Dike-New Hartford High School in 2000.

During his tenure at Pella High School, Mours' teams had nine state tournament qualifiers in four seasons, with four top-four individual finishes. His final season the squad reached the final eight in the team tournament. In all four seasons his teams received the Iowa High School Athletic Association's Academic Team Award for having a combined grade point average above 3.25.

Mours said, “I feel that there is a very good foundation in the Spartan tennis program. My goal is to continue to build a quality program based on Division III philosophies where my players are true student-athletes and can enjoy not only playing tennis, but their overall collegiate experience. I want my student-athletes to excel both in the classroom and on the court. I am on the recruiting trail seeking quality young people who share the same beliefs and can help us make a push towards winning an Iowa Conference championship and qualifying for the National tournament.”

Current and future players can expect a great educational and tennis experience at the University of Dubuque. The Spartans will continue to expand their schedule to play top teams around the Midwest. By playing quality teams it will help UD achieve their goal of winning a conference title. Mours will also make practices challenging to all players on a daily basis so that players can truly reach their full potential.

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