Aug. 1, 2001

Chicago, Ill. - The University of Illinois at Chicago Athletic Department has selected Hans Neufeld as the new head coach of the men's tennis program it was announced earlier this afternoon. Neufeld replaces longtime coach Chuck Cunningham, who retired last season after 25 years of service.

"I'm very excited about this opportunity," Neufeld said. "My strength lies in developing young players and I hope to quickly instill a winning attitude in this team."

This will be the first head coaching venture for Neufeld, who previously has served as a volunteer assistant coach at both Northern Illinois and Southern Methodist University under his brother Carl.

Most recently, Neufeld has been working at the Hinsdale Golf Club as the Head Tennis and Platform Tennis Professional. Prior to that he served as the tennis director at the Woodfield Athletic Club in Schaumburg, Ill.

"Most of the players I have worked with of late have their eyes on playing tennis at the next level," Neufeld remarked. "That's what I want my players to do here - not to quit on their game. I want them to concentrate on academics while not seeing this as the end of their career, but looking to take their game to the next level."

Neufeld is a 1983 graduate of Northern Illinois University where he was an all-conference selection in 1980.

"I think UIC is a great university," Neufeld said. "It reminds me a lot of UCLA. It's a college right in the center of town in beautiful surroundings. The only difference is the weather, so we'll look at developing an indoor facility so we can recruit the kids that can help take this program to the next level, which is something I really see happening."