Xanthos Named Junior College Coach of Year

Paul Xanthos of Pierce College has been selected national junior college coach of the year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Coaches Assn. He received notification of his selection Wednesday.

Xanthos, 67, recently concluded his 41st season of coaching tennis--his 23rd at Pierce. The Brahmas were 18-2-1 this season and ranked fourth in the state.

Xanthos is the first coach from California to win the award. He will be honored Dec. 17 at the ITCA’s annual convention in Fort Meyers, Fla.

This marks the third time Xanthos has received a national award. In 1974, he received the United States Tennis Assn.’s. Award of Merit, and, in 1984, he was the United States Professional Tennis Assn.’s Coach of the Year.

“I am really pleased,” said Xanthos, a physical education instructor who also was Pierce’s professor of the month for May. “But sometimes I think maybe they’re trying to close me out.”