Virginia Announces the Resignation of Head Men's Tennis Coach Dick Stockton

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May 30, 2001

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia Interim Athletic Director Craig Littlepage announced today the resignation of Virginia men’s tennis coach Dick Stockton. The resignation is effective Friday, June 1, 2001. Stockton has accepted a position as the Director of Tennis at the Delray Beach Tennis Center in Delray Beach, Fla.

“I have really enjoyed my three years at Virginia,” Stockton said. “It has been a thrill and an honor to coach at such a prestigious university. I couldn’t have asked for nicer people to work with, both in the office and on the tennis courts. I will continue to follow the men’s tennis team and wish the team nothing but the best in the future.”

In three seasons at Virginia, Stockton led the Cavaliers to a 44-28 overall record. UVa was invited to the NCAA Team Championships all three seasons under Stockton and the Cavs made three straight appearances in the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament.

Stockton also coached Brian Vahaly to a runner-up finish at the 2001 NCAA Men’s Tennis Individual Championships and helped guide Vahaly and his doubles partner, Huntley Montgomery, to the semifinals in the doubles draw of the 2001 NCAA Championships. Montgomery and Vahaly were the tournament’s #1 seed and finished the season with a 34-8 record. Under Stockton’s tutelage, Vahaly set a new school record for singles victories in a season with 40 during the 2000-01 campaign. He finished the season with a 40-6 record.

“We are fortunate to have had Dick Stockton as our head men’s tennis coach the past three years,” Littlepage said. “Along with student-athletes like Huntley Montgomery and Brian Vahaly, he has been a part of the most successful era in the history of the Virginia men’s tennis program.”

Stockton enjoyed an illustrious career as a professional player. At the peak of his professional career, Stockton was ranked #8 in the world (1977). He reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in ’74 and the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open in ’76 and ’77. Stockton also played on five U.S. Davis Cup Teams (’73, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’79), including the 1979 team that captured the Davis Cup. He was the ’77 U.S. Pro Indoor Champion, and was a semifinalist in the ’78 French Open. In 1986, he was ranked #1 in the world in the 35-and-Over Division and was ranked #4 in 1987.

Stockton was equally proficient in doubles. He was the U.S. Open Mixed Doubles Champion in ’75 and the Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Runner-Up in ’76. He won the French Open Mixed Doubles Championship in ’84 and was the World Mixed Doubles Champion for three consecutive years from ’75-’77. Stockton is also a three-time U.S. Open 35-and-Over Doubles Champion (’87, ’89, ’90), and a three-time U.S. Open 45-and-Over Doubles Champion. His most recent U.S. Open title came at the 2000 Open, when he teamed with partner Tom Gullikson to win his third 45-and-over title.

“Dick Stockton brought instant credibility to the program,” Littlepage said. “His professionalism and friendship will be missed by everyone in our department and everyone in the collegiate tennis community”.