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July 28, 2007

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - George Husack has been named associate head coach of the Illinois men's tennis team and is set to join the Illini staff this fall, head coach Brad Dancer announced today. Husack comes to Illinois after leading the Santa Clara University men's tennis team to its best season in school history in 2007, while also bringing a total of 12 years of Division I coaching experience to the Fighting Illini.

"I am extremely excited to have a person with George's experience joining our program," Dancer said about the talented Husack. "George's teams are renowned for their tenacity on the court and excellence in the classroom. He brings coaching expertise, tremendous leadership and a plethora of recruiting connections to the Illinois program."

Husack fills the position left open by former assistant Kent Kinnear, who left Illinois to join the USTA national coaching staff, and brings an unlimited supply of knowledge and expertise to the Orange and Blue.

Husack most recently spent five seasons (2002-07) as head coach at Santa Clara, posting a program-best 20-8 record in 2007 and earning the No. 2 seed at the West Coast Conference Championships behind defending national champion Pepperdine. The Broncos spent a total of 14 weeks in the national polls last season, carding 16 of their 20 wins against ranked opponents. His 2007 Broncos squad also had a conference-best six players earn All-WCC singles and doubles postseason awards.

Before becoming the program's 20th head coach on July 2002, the San Mateo, Calif., native was an assistant for seven seasons (1995-2002) for the Broncos.

"I'm ecstatic about joining the Illinois tennis program," Husack said. "The passion and pride surrounding the university, athletic department and more specifically Illini tennis, is just amazing. It's a privilege to be part of Brad's staff and I look forward to sharing in the excitement of many thrilling seasons that lie ahead."

While at Santa Clara, Husack managed the Silver Racquet Club, the program's booster club, and produced Netscoop, the program's bimonthly newsletter. He also launched and co-directed the Broncos' Nike Tennis Camp program since 1999. Aside from his duties with the Santa Clara tennis program, Husack was twice selected to coach Team NorCal at the USTA National Team Championships in 2005 and 2006.

A talented coach on the courts, Husack has never overlooked the benefit of engaging alumni and tennis fans alike. He began the Bronco Pro-Am Invitational and Bronco Tennis alumni reunion, two annual events that combined current and former players with SCU tennis supporters. He also created Hecklers on the Hill, the official fan club of Santa Clara tennis composed primarily of students.

Prior to Santa Clara, Husack competed on the International Tennis Federation's Satellite Tour for three years, making tournament stops in Mexico, Germany, Japan and around the United States. In 1996 and `97, he played No. 1 singles and doubles for Tus-Breitscheid of the German Club Tennis League, leading the team to a division championship in 1997.

Before that, the Bay Area native played at San Diego State University. During his senior season, Husack served as team captain and helped guide the Aztecs to their first-ever top-25 national ranking. After receiving his bachelor's degree in finance in 1991, Husack went on to earn his MBA in marketing from the University of San Francisco in 1995.

Husack, and his wife, Kristina, were recently married on November 3, 2006.

"Competing against George's teams, I have a deep respect for the manner which his student-athletes hustle and fight in tough situations," Dancer said. "Their play is similar to our own team's run in Georgia this past May. In addition, George built his Santa Clara program recruiting American student-athletes, something that will enable him to transition seamlessly as we build toward the future here at Illinois."