JULY 2, 2008 --- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

McAlister Named SMC Tennis Coach 

SPARTANBURG, SC -- Spartanburg Methodist College has hired a regionally recognized tennis professional as the head coach of its men’s and women’s tennis teams. 

Rodney McAlister, of Greenwood, SC, the recently named coach of the two teams, is already underway recruiting new players for the 2008-2009.  

“I have been involved in tennis all of my life.  I have always wanted to coach college tennis and am extremely excited about the opportunity that Spartanburg Methodist College has given me.  I am looking forward to developing our men’s and women’s tennis teams and think we will have a great season,” says McAlister. 

McAlister also currently serves as the Director of Tennis at Hunter’s Creek Racquet Club, where he has developed and managed all aspects of the tennis program since 1994. Hunter's Creek was the SC Pro Association Club of the Year in 1996. 

“We feel very fortunate to have someone of Rodney’s background to lead our tennis program. He knows tennis and has much respect from the entire South Carolina tennis community,” says SMC athletic director Mark Perdue. 

McAlister himself was a college tennis standout, having played in the No. 2 position for Anderson University and then as the No. 1 for Lander University. 

He is a 1978 graduate of Lander University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. 

McAlister has received numerous accolades as a tennis professional, having been ranked as high as No. 6 in the south. In 2004 he received a No. 1 southern ranking in 4.5 men’s doubles. 

In 2007, McAlister was named the John Newcombe South Carolina Tennis Pro of the Year. 

He has a professional rating from Van Der Meer Tennis University, as well as USTA referee and ITA referee certifications.  

McAlister has also participated on teams that have won eight state championships and two southern championships. 

Teams he has coached have gone on to earn numerous honors. He is the 2004 South Carolina Junior Davis Cup coach; the 2005 and 2006 head coach for the SC Junior Davis Cup; the 2004 and 2005 Southern 14’s Coach; and the 2006 Southern 18’s Coach. 

He is also a partner at Rawls Creek Racquet and Swim Club in Irmo, SC, which was the recipient of the 2001 SCTA Member Club of the Year. 

McAlister and his wife Ann have been married for 26 years and live in Greenwood. They have a son attending Clemson University and one who is a rising senior at Greenwood High School.  

The College is in its 97th year of providing a quality education to students in a Christian environment. More than 90 percent of SMC graduates continue their education at other institutions of higher learning. 

For more information, contact athletic director Mark Perdue at (864) 587-4237 or director of public information Brian Fulkerson at (864) 587-4254. 

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