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John Black is currently in his 10th year as the head coach of the women's tennis team at Grand Valley State. He has led the Laker women to the NCAA Division II Tournament in all 10 of his seasons, advancing to the second round six times. During his time at GVSU, he has had a total of 49 players (30 women, 19 men) selected as ITA Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients.
Under Black's guidance, the Lakers posted a 30-0 undefeated regular season in 2010-11. He led GVSU to its third GLIAC Championship and first under his tenure as well as a GLIAC tournament championship.
In 2008, Black and the Lakers advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament before falling to #24 Drury. For the team's accomplishments, Black was named the 2008 Regional and National Coach of the Year. In the 2008 fall season, the Lakers advanced to the GLIAC Championship match before falling to perennial power, Northwood. Senior Audrey Koopsen was voted the GLIAC Player of the Year, while five other players were named to the All-GLIAC team.
The 2007 season saw the Lakers post a second place finish in the GLIAC Tournament and end the fall season with a 9-1 record. The Grand Valley State women's tennis team was honored with the ITA National Team Sportsmanship Award for the month of April.
In 2006, Black was named GLIAC women's tennis coach of the year after leading the Lakers to a 9-3 finish in conference play.
Originally from Bordentown, New Jersey, Black coached the girls varsity tennis team at Northern Burlington County Regional High School in 1999. He was selected as the Burlington County Girls Tennis Coach of the Year for guiding his team to a 14-7 record. The following year Black coached the boys team to an 18-5 record.
Black began his playing career at Mercer County Community College. He was named to the All-Region First Team in 1992 and 1993, and participated in the national championships in 1993. Black then attended The College of New Jersey, where he played tennis from 1993-95. He earned First Team All-Conference honors during his last two seasons. During his career at TCNJ he finished with a 42-3 singles record, combining for an overall record of 67-7.
He has been a highly ranked player in the United States Tennis Association throughout his career. As a junior tennis player, he was ranked as high as #7 in the state of New Jersey. Previously, he had been ranked #1 in the father/son doubles in the Middle States Section. As an adult player he has been ranked in the top-5 in men's open singles in the Middle States Section.
In 1997, Black graduated from The College of New Jersey with a bachelor's of arts in English. He is certified by the USTPA and currently is also working as a Tennis Pro at Ramblewood Tennis and Health Club in Grandville, Mich.
