Rodney McAlister
Men's and Women's Tennis Coach

Rodney McAlister enters his first season as head coach of the SMC’s men’s and women’s tennis teams in 2008-2009.

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.

McAlister has served as the Director of Tennis at Hunter’s Creek Racquet Club since 1994, where he develops and manages all aspects of the tennis program. That club was the SC Pro Association Club of the Year in 1996.

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.