Eureka Alum Terry Beer Named Tennis Coach

EUREKA, Ill. – Eureka College graduate Terry Beer has been named the new Eureka College tennis head coach, according to an announcement from Director of Athletics Paul Bryant on Wednesday. Beer will be the head coach of both the men's and women's tennis teams.

"Terry Beer is a wonderful addition to the Eureka College athletics staff," Bryant said. "His track record of proven success as a player and coach will be an asset to our tennis teams and we are looking forward to positive results on the court this spring. I am always excited to welcome an alum back to our coaching staff."

Beer began his tennis career at Eureka as a sophomore in 1977. By the end of his senior year in 1980, he played as the #1 singles player and half of the #1 doubles team, eventually earning the team's most valuable player award.

He went on to spend the summer of 1980 playing professional satellite tennis tournaments as a doubles specialist. There he had the opportunity to watch and play against some of the best tennis players in the world. Leaving the pro circuit at the end of the summer to begin a career in education, he began his first coaching stint in the metropolitan St. Louis area.

Beer coached boys and girls tennis at Madison High School in Madison, Ill. for four years. Realizing that he had a passion for teaching and coaching tennis, he began a 25-year career as a United States Professional Tennis Association instructor and coach in the St. Louis area.

In 1998, Beer became head coach at NAIA powerhouse Lindenwood in St. Charles, Mo. In only his second season, Beer took the Lions to the Heart of America Athletic Conference women's team championship. The win secured the team's spot at the NAIA National Team Championships. With an inexperienced team, Beer secured a top-25 NAIA national team ranking at #24. Also honored as the HAAC Women's Tennis Coach of the Year, Beer was asked to serve on the NAIA/ITA National Ranking Board in 2000.

Moving back to his hometown of Streator, Ill. in 2006, Beer began working as a volunteer and organizer for the United States Tennis Association. He now serves as local tennis organizer for the USTA Illinois Valley adult flex tennis leagues and as President of the Streator Tennis Association.

"Becoming coach of the Eureka College men's and women's tennis teams is an incredible honor for me," Beer said. "This is where I began my career, and returning to guide the tennis program will allow me to pass on the gifts my professors and coaches gave to me all those years ago. We will not only be competitive on the courts, but we will also excel in the classroom, and in our roles as ambassadors for Eureka College."

Beer resides in Streator with his wife Zoe and has two sons, one daughter and three step-daughters. He will become the sixth Eureka College graduate to be an active head coach within the department, joining swim coach Jane Austin, football and track coach Kurt Barth, baseball coach Craig Gerdes, cross country coach Kim Holdenrid and golf coach Morgan Murphy.