FSU'S KEVIN BRANDALIK RECEIVES USTA/ITA COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Third-year Head Coach Honored By National Tennis Organizations

Brandalik, who led the Bulldogs to the program's first-ever NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen victory in 2003-04, was among 12 men's or women's tennis coaches from all levels selected. Florida region winner J. Webb Horton of Florida Gulf Coast University claimed the national community service award. The award honors an ITA coach for significant contributions in developing community-based tennis programs through community centers, schools, parks, community tennis associations, inner city, suburban or rural programs. The awards program was open to over 2,000 ITA head and assistant coaches at the NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and Junior/Community College levels.

Brandalik also serves as head tennis professional for Ferris’ Racquet and Fitness Center, the school’s Professional Tennis Management (PTM) program and directs summer camps. He guided FSU to an 18-9 overall record and a second-place Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) finish in 2003-04 after directing the Bulldogs to an 18-8 overall mark and the school's ninth overall NCAA-II Tournament appearance in his initial season (2002-03).

While at Ferris State, Brandalik has partnered with both Big Rapids (Mich.) High School and the local middle school to provide a youth tennis curriculum as part of the schools' physical education classes. A member of the Big Rapids Community Tennis Association Advisory Board, Brandalik has offered and taught either low cost or free junior and youth clinics for a variety of groups and high school teams. In addition, he has also played a role in donating equipment to various events for the American Cancer Society and scholarships to local charities.

A member of the ITA's Ranking Committee, Brandalik serves as the ITA's regional awards chair. His teams have been active in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Mecosta County during his tenure and he offered free beginner tennis clinics for university faculty and staff in 2003. Brandalik also has served as the tournament director for the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Boys Tennis State Regional Championships since 2002.

Brandalik, who previously was the owner/operator of the KB Tennis Academy in Valrico, Fla., has coached high level players for 15 years. In addition to running his own junior academy in Florida, Brandalik also coached a player on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Circuit and several International Tennis Federation (ITF) and national junior players. From 1996 to 2001, he was a player development coach for the USTA's Southern section. During that time, he also coached players who competed in Junior Davis/Fed Cup, the Mills/Redgrave Cup and the USTA's National Zonals Tournaments.

Prior to opening the KB Tennis Academy, Brandalik served as co-director of the Charlotte (N.C.) Tennis Academy, one of the top academies in the South, from 1996-2001. He also served as head coach for the USTA's area training center. Brandalik, who was voted the 1998 United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) North Carolina Pro of the Year, also received the Charlotte Tennis Monthly’s 1996 Top Teaching Professional Award.

A certified USPTA professional, Brandalik has been active in the tennis community and received numerous awards. He was honored as the USPTA’s 1993 Virginia Pro of the Year and founded both the Charlotte Area Professional Tennis Association and the Hampton Roads Professional Tennis Association (Virginia Beach, Va.). Brandalik previously served as North Carolina’s USPTA President and was a USPTA Southern Division board member. He has also been a member of the USA Tennis Program's Advisory Board and the Reebok National Tennis Advisory Staff.

A 1982 graduate of St. Mary’s High School Academy in Hoosick Falls, N.Y., Brandalik received a bachelor’s degree in physical education/sports management from the State University of New York (SUNY)-College at Brockport in 1987. He is married to the former Tina Shenkel and the couple has three daughters, Alyssa, Amanda and Alexa. His wife is a school teacher while all three daughters are tournament level tennis players.

The Ferris State men's tennis team will open its 2004-05 spring season Monday, Feb. 14, with a 3 p.m. (EST) exhibition match versus Grand Rapids Community College at FSU's Racquet and Fitness Center in Big Rapids, Mich.