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Steve Gorno has raised the Hope College men's tennis program to a new level
of excellence. The 2009 team placed second in a highly competitive Michigan
Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) race.
His teams over 17 seasons have posted a 200-142 record in dual matches.
The 2003 Flying Dutchmen were co-champions of the MIAA, a school first
since 1962. The team defeated perennial MIAA champion Kalamazoo
7-2.
Under coach Gorno, Hope has enjoyed unprecedented
success, both on and off the court. In addition to the 2003 conference
championship, he has guided the Flying Dutchmen to appearances in the
NCAA Division III regionals in 1996 and 1997. His teams have also consistently
topped
the 10-win plateau, with the
2000 squad
setting
the single-season won-loss record with a mark of 19-5.
In addition to their athletic success, Hope players have maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA and earned ITA Academic All-American status as a team for nine
straight years. The Dutchmen have had 14 individual Academic All-Americans over this span.
A testimony to Gorno's approach to coaching has been the number of times his
players have received the MIAA's Stowe Sportsmanship Award. In 17 seasons,
the award has gone to a Hope player 11 times, including 10 of the last
13 years
through 2009.
Gorno was a tennis standout at Holland High School. He attended the University of Michigan for two years before finishing his collegiate career at Hope playing third singles and first doubles.
He is a certified professional by the United States Professional Tennis Registry. He is employed by Johnson Controls, Inc in Holland.
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