Marco Ruiz was hired to be the head coach of the men’s and women’s tennis teams by Harding Athletics Director Greg Harnden near the end of the spring 2013 semester.
“We knew Marco was ready to do a good job,” said David Elliott, former head coach of the tennis teams for the past 39 seasons. “That made it easier for me to make the decision to retire, because I felt like (the program) was in great hands.”
Ruiz, a native of Sao Paulo, Brazil, was four-time All-Gulf South Conference for Harding from 2007-2010. He had a 37-14 singles record and 36-27 doubles mark. Ruiz was a Harding graduate assistant beginning in 2010 until his appointment to head coach in 2013.
“I have always loved the Harding tennis team,” Ruiz said. “I came to play for the team in ’07 and I thought that the program was great. I had so much fun. I feel like I have learned so much here. I have improved as a tennis player and a person. I just had great moments and memories here. Coach Elliott, of course, was a great mentor and coach to me.”
Elliott has been preparing Ruiz for the position of head coach for the past three years. According to Elliott, during Ruiz’s time as a graduate assistant, his responsibilities each year increased so that he would be ready to take over one day.
“I know it is going to be very challenging, but I feel like Coach Elliott has prepared me very well,” Ruiz said. “He is the best mentor I could ask for. I am very excited. Harding is the place I want to be.”
Along with the new coach, the Bison tennis team also added five new players to the men’s side and four to the women’s. Practices are underway as the team prepares for the upcoming season. The teams added two new tournaments to the fall schedule and are in the processes of adding more schools to compete against during the regular spring season.
According to Ruiz, this year’s team has a deep reservoir of skills and talent which makes the overall team a good contender to take the conference title. The men’s and women’s tennis teams first match this year will be at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association/United States Tennis Association Regional Championships Sept. 20 in Springfield, Mo.
