By TTU Athletics & OVC Media Relations
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The 2022-23 academic year marked the 75th anniversary of the Ohio Valley Conference, which began in 1948 and currently ranks as the eighth-oldest Division I Conference.
As part of the celebration of the storied accomplishments of the League, a Committee working in conjunction with current and former schools, captured the "best-of-the-best" in each sport and celebrate the top athletes in league history with 75th Anniversary Teams across all OVC sports. A similar listing was compiled during the 40th and 50th anniversaries of the league.
Below is a listing of the top men's tennis student-athletes and coaches in OVC history.
Tennessee Tech saw 11 student-athletes and two coaches represented on the list, including Syrym Abdukhalikov, Luis Aguerrevere, Alex Arovin, Mirza Duranovic, Juan Escudero, Gernot Fischer, Elias Grubert, Chris Hedman, Eduardo Mena, Dean O'Brien, Borja Zarco, head coach Randy Smith, and current head coach Kenny Doyle.
Men's Tennis
Syrym Abdukhalikov, Tennessee Tech (2009-13)
Luis Aguerrevere, Tennessee Tech (2001-04)
Mauricio Antun, Belmont (2013-15)
Nikola Aracic, Murray State (1998-02)
Alex Arovin, Tennessee Tech (2012-16)
Sean Bailey, Austin Peay (2009-13)
Gary Boss, Austin Peay (1974-77)
Jackie Cooper, Western Kentucky (1966-67)
Alex Das, Eastern Kentucky (2007-11)
Mirza Duranovic, Tennessee Tech (1998-2000)
Juan Escudero, Tennessee Tech (1984-88)
Gernot Fischer, Tennessee Tech (2000-03)
Elias Grubert, Tennessee Tech (2019-23)
Terry Hassall, Western Kentucky (1968-71)
Chris Hedman, Tennessee Tech (1988-90)
Marko Ilic, Belmont (2017-21)
Hendrik Inno, Belmont (2016-19)
Greg Johnstone, Morehead State (2002-08)
Johnny King, Murray State (1956-59)
Mats Ljungman, Murray State (1980-83)
David McNamara, Middle Tennessee (1995-98)
Eduardo Mena, Tennessee Tech (2014-18)
Fred Niemeyer, Middle Tennessee (1994-97)
Dean O'Brien, Tennessee Tech (2007-09)
Roger Otten, Western Kentucky (1950-53)
Noel Phillips, Austin Peay (1971-74)
John Powless, Murray State (1955-57)
C.J. Weber, Eastern Illinois (2000-04)
Larry Whitaker, Western Kentucky (1963-64)
Tony Wretlund, Murray State (1984-85, 1986-88)
Fadi Zamjaoui, Murray State (2004-2006)
Borja Zarco, Tennessee Tech (2004-08)
Coaches of Note
Steve Bailey, Jacksonville State
Kenny Doyle, Tennessee Tech
Ted Hornback, Western Kentucky
Rob Oertel, Eastern Kentucky
Bennie Purcell, Murray State
Dale Short, Middle Tennessee
Randy Smith, Tennessee Tech
