He will lead the Flying Dutchmen and Flying Dutch beginning in the 2017-18 season.
He also will be a Tennis Professional at Hope College’s DeWitt Tennis Center.
Cawood follows interim coach Nate Price, who has guided the Flying Dutchmen and Flying
Dutch to MIAA Tournament appearances this season. The Flying Dutch are nationally
ranked and unbeaten in MIAA women’s matches with one week remaining in the regular
season, while the Flying Dutch are second in the MIAA standings.
Cawood returns to Hope after working the past year as the Director of Tennis at Grand
Traverse Spa & Resort in Traverse City, Michigan.
Co-athletic director Melinda Larson said Cawood has all the qualities Hope College
was looking for in a head tennis coach.
Cawood was an assistant coach for the Hope College men’s tennis team for two seasons
(2015-16) and the women’s tennis team for one season (2016).
“He understands and values the Division III experience, has a deep knowledge of and
appreciation for the academic rigors of Hope College, and possesses the drive for
excellence that will lead our teams to many successes in all areas of their lives,”
Larson said. “Bob has established positive relationships with nearly all of the men’s
and women’s tennis student-athletes from his time as the Hope College assistant coach
and tennis professional in Holland.
“He has strong personal character and integrity and will instill those values in our
students. He also resonates deeply with our mission to integrate the Christian faith
into our athletic programs.”
Cawood said he is “ very excited to be back in Holland at his alma mater.
“I treasure all of my experiences as a student and athlete at Hope and am thrilled
to be coaching the Men’s and Women’s tennis teams,” Cawood said. “I want to thank
President John C. Knapp and Melinda Larson for the opportunity to lead and uphold
the strong traditions of Hope athletics. I also want to thank former coach, Steve
Gorno, for being such a positive and guiding influence for Hope athletics and me.
Finally, I would like to thank Adam Ford and Nate Price for their incredible leadership
and friendship. I look forward to working with Jay Vander Laan with leading the teams.
“It will be my privilege to build on Hope’s tennis history, offering each student
athlete an opportunity to grow and compete while embracing the values Hope has to
offer: mind, body, and spirit. We will continue to practice the traditions of Hope,
where our Christian faith, academics and athletics all come together in a positive
learning environment.”
Cawood is United States Professional Tennis Registry certified in High Performance
Coaching. He has instructed at the Midtown Athletic Club in Chicago and the Nike Tennis
Camps at Michigan State University.
Cawood served up a decorated playing career for the Flying Dutchmen, including the
Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association co-championship team he captained his
senior year in 2013. He was MIAA MVP that season. He is a three-time, All-MIAA First
Team honoree and three-time Team MVP for the Flying Dutchmen.
As a junior, Cawood was chosen the recipient of MIAA’s Allen B. Stowe Sportsmanship
Award in 2012.
Cawood’s 104 career wins between singles and doubles play are the third-most in team
history.
Cawood recorded a singles record of 56-12 and a doubles record of 48-28. His singles
wins are the fourth most by a Flying Dutchmen player.
In 2014, Cawood played one season for the University of Detroit Mercy as a graduate
student. He was named team captain and team MVP for the Titans.
Cawood earned All-Horizon League Second Team honors and received the Horizon League’s
Herb Foster Sportsmanship Award while at Detroit Mercy. He also was named an Intercollegiate
Tennis Association Scholar Athlete.