John Bryant
Women's Tennis Coach
Jane and Ken Meyer Wellness Center
Bolivar, MO 65613
Now in his 44th year at SBU, John Bryant serves as the men's varsity tennis coach and an associate professor of mathematics. In 2005, Bryant became head coach of the women's varsity tennis team. Bryant served as the director of athletics from 1989 to 1995.
He holds an associate of arts degree from Southwest Baptist, a bachelor of science and masters of education from Mississippi College, and a masters of arts degree from the University of Illinois. He is a member of two hall of fames, after being inducted into SBU’s hall in 1982 (and again in 2009) and previously the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1987. In 1973, he earned SBU's Distinguished Teacher award and then in 1997 he was given the Governor's Award for Teaching.
From 1967-86, SBU tennis won 18 NAIA District 16 titles, played in 19 consecutive NAIA national tournaments and won the 1984 co-national championship. He was named NAIA District 16 Coach of the Year 18 times and also has served as President of the NAIA Tennis Coaches Association twice during that span. In 1983, he picked up the NAIA National Coach of the Year and then did it again in 1990 after SBU became a member of the NCAA Division II. Bryant has served as Chair of the NCAA D-II Tennis Committee for 7 years, ITA Board of Directors for 8 years, and ITA National Ranking Chair for 8 years.
SBU was a member of the NAIA in 1966-87. SBU became a member of the NCAA Division II and joined the MIAA in 1988, the Bearcats have played in the NAIA national championships19 times and 18 times in NCAA national tournaments
Bryant currently has 14 MIAA men's tennis championships and 18 national tournaments. The 18 nationals is third all-time in the NCAA Division II, while the 14 MIAA championships is tied for the most all-time in the MIAA since 1953. He also coached the SBU women's tennis team to the first MIAA title in any sport in SBU history in 2008 and was named MIAA Coach of the Year in both men's and women's tennis.
Bryant is married to Dr. Judy Bryant, chair of the Department of Education and Director of Teacher Education. They have one daughter, Jana, a SBU graduate in '89 and a radiologist in Springfield, Mo.
Honors |
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| Southwest Baptist |
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| Hall of Fame |
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| Distinguished Awards |
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National Champions For Bryant |
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Year |
Player |
Championship |
| 2004 | Dante Cipulli |
NCAA D-II Singles, Small Colleges Super Bowl Champion |
| 2002 | Andras Bori, Mark Eori |
NCAA D-II Doubles |
| 1993 | Michael Obertop |
NCAA D-II Singles |
| 1984 | Kevin Kopp, Gregg Yarbrough |
NAIA Doubles |
| 1983 | Alvaro Jordan |
NAIA Singles |
Team National Championship |
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| 1984 | SBU |
NAIA Co-National Championship |
Arthur Ashe Award Winners For Bryant |
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Year |
Player |
Award |
| 2004 | Mark Eori |
Arthur Ashe Regional Award |
| 2003 | Andras Bori |
Arthur Ashe Regional Award |
| 1999 | Russell Vost |
Arthur Ashe Regional Award |
| 1994 | Michael Obertop |
Arthur Ashe National Award |
| 1992 | Jordan Sanchez |
Arthur Ashe National Award |
| 1990 | Gary Jones |
Arthur Ashe National Award |
National Player Awards |
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Year |
Division | Player |
Award |
| 1983 | NAIA | Alvaro Jordan |
Sportsmanship Award |
| 2005 | NCAA D-II |
Dante Cipuille |
Senior Player of the Year |
| 2007 | NCAA D-II |
Alex Kacamakis |
Rookie of the Year |
CAMPUS LOCATIONS