June 26, 2006

DETROIT - Wayne State University Director of Athletics Rob Fournier announced today the appointment of Dennis Royal as the men's tennis coach.

"Dennis brings a number of strengths both on and off the court that will immediately benefit our program," said Fournier. "His national reputation, skill as an instructor and familiarity with our campus, makes him the perfect compliment to our short and long-term objectives."

Royal, a native of Detroit, has spent the last four years as the teaching pro at The Sports Club of West Bloomfield.

"As we improve our tennis facilities, his reference and expertise will be an advantage," added Fournier.

He played collegiately for two years at the University of Cincinnati before helping Wayne State to the 1981 GLIAC Championship. Royal played three years on the satellite circuit before becoming the Junior Tennis Director at the Midland Community Tennis Center, a position he held for over nine years. In addition to all his responsibilities with the junior program, he also developed top players such as Anne Miller and Meredith McGrath.

Royal, a member of the USPTA since 1986, also spent nearly five years in Switzerland coaching Megan Moulton-Levy. Upon his return to the United States, he served one year as the teaching pro at the Franklin Fitness and Racquet Club in Southfield before assuming his current position at The Sports Club.

"I am very happy to be named the men's tennis coach at WSU," stated Royal. "I am looking forward to working with the fine staff at the University. With my experience I feel I can move the men's team to a higher level of play."

Wayne State has sponsored men's tennis since 1918 when it was called Detroit Junior College. Wayne State had two tennis coaches over a 46-year period (Norman Wann, 1932-53; and Fred Mulhauser, 1954-1978). Mulhauser won nine consecutive PAC Championships between 1956 and 1964 and four GLIAC titles before turning the coaching reins over to Allison Tookes. She won two GLIAC men's titles during her coaching tenure.

Wayne State advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for four consecutive years (2002-05) and was ranked seventh in the Great Lakes region in the final 2006 Fila rankings.