Bob Hansen Selected For ITA Hall of Fame Class of 2025
12/18/2024 11:07:00 PM | Men's Tennis
SANTA CRUZ, Ca. - The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) has announced the 2025 ITA Men's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame induction class. The class features legendary tennis coach and UC Santa Cruz Banana Slug tennis coach Bob Hansen. Hansen will be joined in this year's class by coach Michael Mullan (Swarthmore College), along with players Eric Butorac (Ball State University, Gustavus Adolphus College) and Bud Schultz (Bates College). Â
Â
"We are elated to hear of Bob Hansen's induction into the ITA Hall of Fame, as he has done so much to cement his place among the best of the best within collegiate tennis. In his time here at UCSC, he and his programs were the definition of dominant. The way he coached, mentored, and led our student athletes on and off the courts is a direct result of his passion and hard work that he displayed year after year. It is such a joy for us to see him continue to get the recognition he deserves for all he's done for this sport. Congrats to Bob and the entire Hansen family on this honor! – Director of Athletics and Recreation Chris Spells
Â
Bob Hansen started the men's tennis club team at UC-Santa Cruz in 1977 before becoming an NCAA Division III program in 1980. During his 31 years at the helm of the Banana Slugs, UC Santa Cruz won seven NCAA DIII National Championships and three ITA Indoor titles. During the 1990s, the Banana Slugs won 73 consecutive matches against D-III competition.
Â
Hansen coached five NCAA singles champions, 10 NCAA doubles champions, three ITA singles champs, six ITA doubles champs and 118 All-Americans. In 2005 and '07, the Banana Slugs won the NCAA team, singles and doubles titles. Hansen was named the ITA Coach of the Year four times. Hansen's seven NCAA Team Titles and 15 NCAA Singles/Doubles Championships stand as the winningest NCAA Division III Tennis program in history.
Â
The ITA Men's Hall of Fame Class of 2025 induction ceremony will be hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College preceding the ITA Division III Men's National Team Indoor Championships on February 20, 2025.
Â
Â
"We are elated to hear of Bob Hansen's induction into the ITA Hall of Fame, as he has done so much to cement his place among the best of the best within collegiate tennis. In his time here at UCSC, he and his programs were the definition of dominant. The way he coached, mentored, and led our student athletes on and off the courts is a direct result of his passion and hard work that he displayed year after year. It is such a joy for us to see him continue to get the recognition he deserves for all he's done for this sport. Congrats to Bob and the entire Hansen family on this honor! – Director of Athletics and Recreation Chris Spells
Â
Bob Hansen started the men's tennis club team at UC-Santa Cruz in 1977 before becoming an NCAA Division III program in 1980. During his 31 years at the helm of the Banana Slugs, UC Santa Cruz won seven NCAA DIII National Championships and three ITA Indoor titles. During the 1990s, the Banana Slugs won 73 consecutive matches against D-III competition.
Â
Hansen coached five NCAA singles champions, 10 NCAA doubles champions, three ITA singles champs, six ITA doubles champs and 118 All-Americans. In 2005 and '07, the Banana Slugs won the NCAA team, singles and doubles titles. Hansen was named the ITA Coach of the Year four times. Hansen's seven NCAA Team Titles and 15 NCAA Singles/Doubles Championships stand as the winningest NCAA Division III Tennis program in history.
Â
The ITA Men's Hall of Fame Class of 2025 induction ceremony will be hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College preceding the ITA Division III Men's National Team Indoor Championships on February 20, 2025.
Â
