RICHMOND, Ky. - Eastern Kentucky University Director of Athletics Jeff Long has announced that longtime EKU tennis coach Tom Higgins has stepped down from the coaching ranks. He will remain at Eastern to teach part-time in the Department of Health Education.

Higgins just completed his 28^th season as EKU's men's tennis coach and his seventh as head coach of the Colonels' women's tennis team.

"Coach Higgins has given a tremendous amount to our athletic program and the young people he has coached," said Long. "His student-athletes have achieved success on the court and in the classroom. We wish him all the best."

During his tenure at Eastern, the Colonels won 339 men's dual matches, ranking him 14^th among active Division I coaches in the nation in wins.

Higgins is particularly proud of the fact that, since his reign as men's head tennis coach in 1972, 94 percent of all of his former EKU players have earned their undergraduate degrees.

"I've enjoyed my time at Eastern and will miss the time with the players the most," Higgins said.

In addition to his coaching and teaching duties, Higgins has also been an active speaker throughout Kentuckiana in the area of substance abuse and has served a three-year stint on the NCAA Council on Drug Abuse.