July 19, 2012
Concordia's Neil Tarangioli Named the United States Professional Tennis Association East Region Coach of the Year
Story Courtesy of Concordia College Sports Information
Houston, Texas (July 19, 2012) – Concordia College men's and women's tennis head coach Neil Tarangioli has been honored as the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) East Region Coach of the Year. A first-time honoree of the award, Tarangioli led both teams to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) titles and NCAA Tournament appearances.
Coach Tarangioli began his 32nd season as the head men's tennis coach at Concordia in 2012. He also took on the responsibilities of coaching the women's program for the first time in his career. He guided the women's squad to an 11-2 (8-0 CACC) record while the men finished with an 18-8 (6-0 CACC) mark.
With the men's team Tarangioli was named CACC Coach of the Year and the Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) East Region Coach of the Year. The team finished the season ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division II East Region Rankings and No. 15 in the NCAA Division II National Rankings by the ITA. The Clippers advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 in Louisville, Ky., but were unable to advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals for a fourth consecutive season after falling to Grand Canyon University 5-4.
The Concordia women's team finished the year ranked No. 2 in the NCAA Division II East Region Rankings and No. 45 in the NCAA Division II National Rankings by the ITA. The team advanced to the NCAA East Regional Finals match where its season came to an end after a 5-4 defeat against Queens College (N.Y.).
By the end of the season Concordia had a combined seven singles players and four duos ranked in the top-10 within the ITA East Region. Seven players also have been awarded by the ITA as All-Scholars, one as an ITA All-America selection, one as a CoSIDA Capital One Academic All District® First Team selection, while both teams earned ITA All-Academic Team Awards.
To date, Tarangioli has accumulated 432 victories as head coach of the men's team at Concordia.
