Friday, April 13
Bozeman, MT
1:00 PM
Montana State University
vs
EASTERN WASHINGTON
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Mike Phillips Faces Last Matches as Bobcats Head Coach
4/13/2012 11:35:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Bobcats host Eastern Washington Friday before visiting UM Sunday
Mike Phillips knows it's inevitable.
The nerves, the anticipation, all the 'last times'. The most successful tennis coach in Montana State history closes what is likely to endure as a legendary career this weekend, when the Bobcats host Eastern Washington on Friday before visiting Montana on Sunday. The matches will be the last as MSU's men's head coach for Phillips, who is returning to Colorado to coach and teach in the private sector in the weeks after the season ends.
"I hit with a player and think, 'This is the last time I'll hit with him,' or I'll see someone and think, 'I might not see him again,'" said Phillips, whose smile and positive demeanor were as much a trademark as his winning program. "It's going to be strange."
With the Bobcats eliminated from the Big Sky tournament this year - also a strange phenomena under Phillips' direction - the definite ending to the season allows MSU to acknowledge an outstanding head coach, says MSU Athletic Director Peter Fields.
"Mike has been such an outstanding coach and teacher and role model," Fields said. "He and ginger (his wife, also active as a teacher and coach at MSU) have meant more to this program, this department, and this community than wins and championships can ever measure. They have the best wishes and warmest memories of everyone associated with Bobcat Athletics."
The task is tall for MSU in MSU's final weekend under Phillips' direction. MSU faces third-place Eastern Washington, 5-1 in league play, before visiting Montana on Sunday. The Grizzlies will be playing this weekend for a conference title.
The Bobcats also bid farewell to a pair of seniors this weekend. Alberto Fuentes has been a staple of the MSU lineup for four years, while Lander Jewett from Helena has posted two solid years at Montana State after transferring.
The nerves, the anticipation, all the 'last times'. The most successful tennis coach in Montana State history closes what is likely to endure as a legendary career this weekend, when the Bobcats host Eastern Washington on Friday before visiting Montana on Sunday. The matches will be the last as MSU's men's head coach for Phillips, who is returning to Colorado to coach and teach in the private sector in the weeks after the season ends.
"I hit with a player and think, 'This is the last time I'll hit with him,' or I'll see someone and think, 'I might not see him again,'" said Phillips, whose smile and positive demeanor were as much a trademark as his winning program. "It's going to be strange."
With the Bobcats eliminated from the Big Sky tournament this year - also a strange phenomena under Phillips' direction - the definite ending to the season allows MSU to acknowledge an outstanding head coach, says MSU Athletic Director Peter Fields.
"Mike has been such an outstanding coach and teacher and role model," Fields said. "He and ginger (his wife, also active as a teacher and coach at MSU) have meant more to this program, this department, and this community than wins and championships can ever measure. They have the best wishes and warmest memories of everyone associated with Bobcat Athletics."
The task is tall for MSU in MSU's final weekend under Phillips' direction. MSU faces third-place Eastern Washington, 5-1 in league play, before visiting Montana on Sunday. The Grizzlies will be playing this weekend for a conference title.
The Bobcats also bid farewell to a pair of seniors this weekend. Alberto Fuentes has been a staple of the MSU lineup for four years, while Lander Jewett from Helena has posted two solid years at Montana State after transferring.
Thursday, February 13
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Monday, March 25
