May 12, 1999

LUBBOCK, Texas - The Texas Tech athletic department will split the men's and women's tennis programs and conduct a search for a head women's tennis coach immediately, athletic director Gerald Myers announced today.

Tim Siegel will remain in the position of head men's tennis coach but will not serve in his current capacity of director of tennis. A full-time head coach will oversee all aspects of the women's program, while Siegel will focus on leading the men's program.

"Being a single father with significant demands on my time, it was difficult to give both the men's and women's programs the attention each deserved," said Siegel, who has led the mens team to four-straight NCAA tournament appearances. "We have built a great base with the mens team to continue to strive towards our goal of becoming a national power. I am looking forward to continue to work toward that goal and spending more time with my daughter."

Senior associate athletic director Judi Henry will lead the search for a women's head coach. She has indicated that current interim head women's tennis coach Mary Dailey will be a candidate for the position but that a national search will be conducted as quickly as possible.

"We fully believe that our women's tennis team can be nationally competitive and we have the responsibility to do everything we can to achieve that end," said Henry. "Tim did a good job in his two seasons as director of tennis despite some difficult circumstances. With a new facility on the drawing boards and a good nucleus of returning players, we feel strongly that we will attract a coach that will fit well with our program."