EDWARDSVILLE, Ill., July 9 -- Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville issued the following news release:
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE Athletics mourns the passing of Hall of Fame tennis coach Kent DeMars, who passed away Thursday, according to family. He was 82.
DeMars transformed the SIUE men's tennis program from club status to national powerhouse, coaching the Cougars to seven consecutive national championships from 1978-1984.
"Kent built SIUE tennis into a national power that saw championship-level success," SIUE women's tennis Head Coach Adam Albertsen said. "Beyond the trophies and the wins, his ability to impact student-athletes on and off the court will always be remembered."
DeMars coached players who earned 56 All-American cer...