CHICAGO (Nov. 1, 2023) – The UIC Department of Athletics announced Wednesday it has named Elizabeth Lumpkin Robinson as the Flames' next women's tennis head coach, subject to approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Robinson, who grew up in suburban Naperville, Ill., returns to the Chicagoland area following six seasons as an assistant and associate head coach at the University of Oregon.
 
"I want to thank Michael Lipitz, Dr. Galen Duncan and the entire search committee for the opportunity to lead the UIC women's tennis program," Lumpkin Robinson said. "The innovation and trajectory of the UIC Department of Athletics is tremendous and I'm honored to build upon the legacy and strong foundation built by coach Shannon Tully. The diversity and renowned research history of UIC provides the perfect opportunity to pursue my mission to educate, empower and encourage student-athletes to be confident leaders in our community and beyond. Our family is thrilled to return to my home state and begin this next part of our journey."
 
"Coach Lumpkin Robinson is a proven winner at every level of tennis," said Director of Athletics Michael Lipitz. "She is dedicated to and passionate about the development of her student-athletes on and off the court. She understands well the tradition of excellence of Flames women's tennis and embraces the opportunity to take the program to even greater heights. We welcome Elizabeth, her husband Jason, and their children, Bailey and Cooper, to our Flames Family."
 
Lumpkin Robinson joined the Oregon staff in 2017 as an assistant coach before rising to associate head coach for the Ducks prior to the 2020-21 season. While in Eugene, Lumpkin Robinson helped lead the Ducks to a pair of NCAA Tournament berths (2018, 2022) and five winning seasons. She also mentored a pair of players to appearances in the NCAA Singles Championship, along with three All-Pac-12 selections and one All-American.
 
In 2021, Lumpkin Robinson helped coach Janice Tjen to a No. 6 year-end ITA singles ranking, the highest final national ranking ever for a Ducks player, and a spot in the national semifinals of the NCAA Singles Championship, the deepest NCAA run ever by an Oregon singles competitor. Last year, the Ducks recorded their fourth consecutive winning season and reached a high of No. 40 in the ITA national rankings. Oregon also posted two top-50 wins and Robinson coached the pair of Uxia Martinez Moral and Sophie Leuscher to a No. 77 national doubles ranking.
 
Prior to her tenure at Oregon, Lumpkin Robinson coached and trained elite junior players for eight years at Palm Valley and Indian Ridge Country Clubs in Palm Desert, Calif.
 
"We could not be more pleased to have Coach Lumpkin Robinson taking the reins as our new women's tennis coach," said Dr. Galen Duncan, senior associate athletics director and women's tennis sport supervisor. "She has a wonderful track record as a coach and mentor and I'm confident she will help lead our current and future Flames to tremendous success."
 
Playing under her maiden name, Lumpkin Robinson etched her place in the history books early in her tennis career. At Naperville Central High School, she became the first and only women's tennis player in Illinois prep history to win four consecutive state championships. She was also a member of the United States Junior Fed Cup Team in 2002.
 
Robinson went on to a stellar career at UCLA from 2004-08, serving as a captain during her final season (2008) when she went 24-1 in singles play and led the Bruins to their first NCAA national championship. That same year, Robinson was named the ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership Award winner for the West Region and the ITA/Cissie Leary Regional Sportsmanship Award recipient. A three-time member of the Pac-10 All-Academic Team, Robinson, who graduated magna cum laude from UCLA in 2009 with a degree in mass communication/media studies, still ranks eighth in school history for career wins (101).
 
Robinson went on to compete on the WTA and ITF pro tennis circuit from 2009-13. She had career-high world rankings of No. 443 in singles and No. 280 in doubles. notching wins over several Grand Slam competitors, including Eugenie Bouchard, Gabriela Dabrowski and Nicole Melichar. Robinson won six doubles titles and one singles crown during her four-year pro career.
 
Robinson will be the 10th head coach in UIC women's tennis history and only the second since 2001. She replaces Shannon Tully who led the Flames to 17 conference titles over 22 seasons. UIC is in its second season as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference.
 
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT ELIZABETH LUMPKIN ROBINSON:
 
Shannon Tully, Former UIC Women's Tennis Head Coach (2001-23)
 
"Coach Robinson is the perfect hire for UIC. I have known her since she was an elite junior player here in Illinois, and she went on to achieve so much on the court, both at UCLA and professionally. Besides her outstanding playing career, I have always been equally impressed with her kind character, work ethic, attention to detail and competitiveness. She is truly one of a kind and I am genuinely so excited to see her take over this program that means so much to me."
 
Stella Sampras Webster, UCLA Women's Tennis Head Coach
 
"I'm so happy for Elizabeth and this wonderful opportunity at UIC. From her time playing for me at UCLA and winning the NCAA national championship, Elizabeth was a fantastic leader. I've always known she would be a head coach and I believe she will do a great job leading the Flames."
 
Courtney Nagle, Oregon Women's Tennis Head Coach
 
"UIC is getting a great coach and person in Elizabeth Lumpkin Robinson. I was so fortunate to work with Elizabeth for the past five years. She does things with the utmost professionalism. Elizabeth is dedicated to her athletes on and off the court and will make a lasting impact at UIC. Although we will greatly miss her, we are excited for her to take this step in her career in becoming a first-time head coach. I wish her and her family the best as they begin this next chapter."
 
Alison Silverio, Notre Dame Women's Tennis Head Coach
 
"Through dedication, character and expertise, Elizabeth has ascended from an assistant coach to the new leader of the UIC women's tennis program. She will embrace her head coaching role with grace and vision. Congratulations on an opportunity well-deserved."
 
Dani Nasser, Texas Tech Women's Tennis Assistant Coach
 
"I loved having Elizabeth as my assistant coach while a student-athlete at Oregon. She's an amazing coach and an even better person. She taught me what it's like to be a fierce competitor and how far your work ethic can take you. She's been an incredible mentor for me on and off the court. UIC is extremely lucky to have her with the way she impacts and pours into her players daily."
 
Tyler Thomson, North Carolina Women's Tennis Associate Head Coach
 
"Elizabeth's greatest strengths – the ones that will be most felt and most impactful with her new team – are her compassion and her eagerness for growth. Teams with coaches who value these two things are supported in the right way as they strive every day to reach their potential. The UIC student-athletes are very fortunate to have Elizabeth as their new coach."
 
For more information on the UIC women's tennis program, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UICWTEN and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_wten and @uicflames).