Aug. 18, 2011

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University Athletic Director Lynn W. Thompson announced today (August 18, 2001) the appointment of Tim Pleasant as Head Tennis Coach.

Pleasant comes to B-CU from Coker (S.C.) College, where both the men's and women's teams improved their records in Pleasant's one year as coach from ninth place to fifth place conference finishes for both programs. He also coached Coker's first-ever Conference Carolinas Women's Tennis Player of the Year, Alyssa Blanchard. Pleasant also coached three years at Austin Peay State University.

Prior to Coker, Pleasant served six years as the Director of Tennis at the Rock Hill Tennis Center in Rock Hill, S.C. While at Rock Hill, Pleasant created the Mid-Carolina Tennis Association, a non-profit organization that raised over $75,000 for kids and the local tennis community and was awarded the top non-profit association in South Carolina for 2010. Pleasant also worked closely with the Director of the U.S. Open to organize and direct the first $25,000 USTA Women's Professional Tournament in Rock Hill - the second largest professional tournament in South Carolina next to the Family Circle Cup held in Charleston.

He also started the Rock Tennis Academy where he personally trained and sent 12 students on to achieve college tennis scholarships.

"Tim's experience at the various levels of tennis made him very attractive to us." Thompson said. "He is a family man first and a great teacher and outstanding coach who has succeeded at every level. His connections in the world of tennis will allow us to develop new opportunities for the university as well as to strive to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tennis crowns and position ourselves for success in the NCAA tournaments."

At Austin Peay, Pleasant coached three players to selections on the Ohio Valley Conference All-Conference team. He is excited about the opportunity to return to the Division I level.

"I'm happy to be back in Division I and appreciate the opportunity Mr. Thompson has provided me and my family," Pleasant said. "Florida's an excellent place to recruit. The history of Bethune-Cookman University is well known. It's an honor to be coaching here and it's a place I hope to be able to retire from."

A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Pleasant holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Sports Management from EKU. During his time at EKU he also served as a graduate assistant coach for both the men's and women's tennis teams. Pleasant also played #1 singles/doubles at EKU where he set the single season record for EKU and the Ohio Valley Conference for the most wins (28) @ #1 doubles, earning him a national NCAA ITA ranking.

He and his wife, Brenda, have four children - Lilly (6), Timothy (5) and recent additions Frances and Charles.