July 11, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Women's tennis coach Lee Taylor Walker's first recruit to the Lady Tiger program carries some impressive credentials in the college tennis game. Walker announced Wednesday that former Tiger men's tennis coach and M-Club Hall of Fame member Phil Chamberlain will join the Lady Tiger staff in 2007-08 as a volunteer assistant coach.

"Having someone with Coach Chamberlain's credentials will help me a lot in my first year of coaching," Walker said. "He's one of the most, if not the most, highly-regarded tennis coach in the area and having him on board will really help with the long-term plan for this tennis team."

Chamberlain coached his alma mater from 1999-2004, before taking over tournament director duties for the Region/Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup. With the pair of professional tournaments taking so much of his day-to-day time, Chamberlain resigned from the university, turning the men's program over to then-assistant coach Paul Goebel.

"I'm missed coaching and am just excited to help (Lee Taylor Walker) with the women's tennis team," Chamberlain said. "I am excited about the opportunity that my daughter has to play at the U of M and although my time will be somewhat limited, I'll help them the best way that I can."

The Lady Tiger tennis team returns four letterwinners for the 2007-08 season, and added one transfer and one true freshman for the upcoming season. The transfer is Chamberlain's daughter, Kristin, who is returning home after spending her first two collegiate seasons at Cleveland State University.

This will be Chamberlain's first stint with collegiate coaching on the women's side, but he guided the Tiger men's tennis team to four straight 16 win seasons and one 15-win season in his five years at the helm of the Tiger men's program.

Chamberlain will continue to lead both the Regions/Morgan Keegan Championships and the Cellular South Cup. The duo of tournaments are held each February at The Racquet Club of Memphis.