CHICAGO (Aug. 25, 2023) – UIC women's tennis head coach Shannon Tully announced Friday she will be stepping away from the program in September to focus fully on her family after leading the Flames since the 2001-02 season.
 
"Words cannot express the emotion that I feel stepping away from my role as the head women's tennis coach at UIC after 22 years," Tully said. "I have lived nearly half of my life at this incredible university, and I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude.
 
"Throughout my time here, I have been surrounded by the brightest group of athletes, coaches, staff and administration," Tully added. "Through blood, sweat, tears and laughter, we have all done this together, and I am so proud of everything we have accomplished. Although I know I have so much left to give, I have arrived at a crossroads. I am choosing a new career that will allow me to be aligned with my daughters' academic and athletic endeavors and I am excited to finally be able to cheer them on."
 
The winningest coach in Horizon League women's tennis history, Tully led UIC to 14 conference championships and 14 NCAA Tournament appearances. A 12-time Horizon League Coach of the Year and the 2013 Wilson/Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Coach of the Year for the Midwest Region, she coached 10 conference Players of the Year, six conference Newcomers of the Year, and 37 first-team all-conference selections. The Flames went undefeated in conference play for 11 straight seasons (2002-13) and accumulated an impressive overall league record of 184-25 (.880) during her tenure.
 
Tully's programs were just as successful in the classroom, regularly recording the highest GPA among all UIC teams, as well as numerous perfect graduation rates.
 
"Shannon has set the standard of excellence for UIC Athletics," said director of athletics Michael Lipitz. "Her student-athletes achieved academically at the highest level and her teams dominated their competition on the court, annually winning championships and competing in the NCAA Tournament. Moreover, she has been a trusted leader and valued voice within our athletics department for more than two decades. We wish Shannon and her family every future success in this next chapter in their lives."
 
Following Tully's departure, assistant coach Nico Rousset will serve as interim head coach for the UIC women's tennis program. UIC will immediately embark on a national search to identify its next head coach, with the search to be led by Dr. Galen Duncan, senior associate athletics director and women's tennis sport supervisor. 
 
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SHANNON TULLY:
 
Jeff Jackson, Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner
 
"Coach Tully has, for years, been one of the most important forces in women's tennis. Her impact on her student-athletes, and the overall UIC campus community, is a model we all should follow. She will be missed in "The Valley.""
 
Julie Roe Lach, Horizon League Commissioner
 
"Congratulations to Shannon on an amazing career. She is a tremendous leader who has positively impacted countless student-athletes. Her success on the court is unmatched, but it is not just about the wins, championships or individual accolades. She fully embodied the Horizon League's values of student-athlete well-being, integrity, stewardship and respect and always displayed strong sportsmanship. We wish her the best in this new chapter."
 
Dr. Galen Duncan, UIC Senior Associate Athletics Director and Women's Tennis Sport Supervisor
 
"Shannon has exemplified everything it means to be a UIC Flame. It has truly been a pleasure to work side by side with her during the past year. To say she will be missed at UIC is an understatement."