June 11, 2002

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State University will conduct a nationwide search for a new women's tennis coach after electing not to renew the contract of Donna Ryan.

Ryan coached the Southeast tennis team for the past five years with an overall record of 16-64. Last season the Otahkians were 2-17 after going 5-13 in 2001 and 3-15 in 2000.

"We appreciate the hard work and dedication Coach Ryan gave the Southeast women's tennis team, but we just feel we want to start in a new direction," said Don Kaverman, director of athletics. "We wish Coach Ryan well in her future endeavors. Our senior woman's administrator, Lana Richmond, will conduct a nationwide search to find a new coach to lead our program into a contending position in the Ohio Valley Conference."

Ryan took over the Southeast tennis program in 1998 when she led the Otahkians to a 6-8 mark and a sixth place finish in the OVC Tournament. Ryan has been director of tennis at Universal Health and Fitness in Cape Girardeau since June of 1990. At Universal, Ryan has been active in starting junior tennis leagues for local youth, high schools and women's leagues. She is a member of the Professional Tennis Registry and is a certified professional tennis instructor.

Southeast has a new Tennis Complex that features eight courts, all of which are lighted.