Men's Tennis | 8/18/2022 1:16:00 PM

MELBOURNE, Fla. -- Long-time Barry tennis coach Dr. George Samuel is one of the nine members of the 24th Indiction Class of the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame.

The league will usher in the nine newest members on Saturday, October 8th, during the SSC Hall of Fame brunch and celebration. The event will take place in Fort Lauderdale on the campus of Nova Southeastern University.

In addition to Samuel, the inductees are Dr. Joan Davison (Rollins, Faculty Athletics Representative), Doug Gordin (Florida Southern, men's golf), Dr. Katie (Heintz) Stowers (Saint Leo, softball), Bill Livesey (Eckerd, baseball/men's soccer), Dr. Danielle Robinson (Nova Southeastern, women's basketball), Jarrett Slaven (Tampa, cross country), James Taylor (Lynn, men's basketball), and Dr. Frank Webbe (Florida Tech, Faculty Athletics Representative).

Samuel has spent over 30 years as a guiding force for Buccaneer tennis, putting programs on the map. He compiled a 588-139 record in 30 years with the men and added a 308-122 record in 18 years with the women. He coached 58 men's tennis All-Americans and 24 more on the women's side. Samuel has been honored as coach of the year by the Sunshine State Conference more than any other coach in league history: 17 times on the men's side and four more on the women's for 21 overall awards. He led the men to 16 SSC Tournament Championships and five regular season titles. He added three tournament titles with the women. The Intercollegiate Tennis Association has also bestowed regional coach of the year honors nine times, including eight with the men, and national coach of the year for men in 1999 and 2013.

Samuel has mentored many of the best and brightest in Buccaneer history, starting with three NCAA Woman of the Year Finalists in Anna Halbergson (2000), Victoria Courmes (2003) and Greta Trotman (2006).

• Christian Witt, the 2000 SSC Player of the Year, was the first Buccaneer to be named Academic All-American of the Year as well at the top athlete in his sport after winning the ITA Singles Championship in the fall of 1999.
• Thomas Hipp was the first, and so far only, male in SSC history to be recognized as both Athlete of the Year (2005-06) and Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2004-05) during his career.
• Emanuel Fraitzl was the first Buccaneer to win a team national championship and an individual title in the same calendar year (2010).
• Ahmed Triki is the only tennis player, male or female, in SSC history to earn ITA All-America status in both singles and doubles all four years. He is also one of only 10 athletes across all SSC sports to be named Player of the Year three times.

The SSC Hall of Fame was founded in 1991 to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to the league. Its purpose is to perpetuate the memory of those who brought distinction, honor, and excellence to the league. Conference officials selected a charter class in 1992, with 21 individuals honored. The 2022 class brings the number of SSC Hall of Fame inductees to 213, including 24 Buccaneers. In addition to Samuel, men's tennis players Herbert Bende, Thomas Hipp, Laurent Lamothe, and Christian Witt have all been inducted. On the women's side, former Samuel players Victoria Courmes, Anna Hallbergson-Lewis and Greta Trotman are also in the Hall.

Dr. George Samuel | Barry University | Tennis Coach | 1990 - 2021

• 5x NCAA Division II Men's Tennis National Champion
• 17x NCAA Division II Men's Tennis Regional Champion
• 2x ITA Men's Tennis National Coach of the Year
• 8x ITA Men's Tennis Regional Coach of the Year
• 21x SSC Coach of the Year (17x in Men's Tennis)
• 21x SSC Tournament Champions (17x in Men's Tennis)
• 5x SSC Men's Tennis Regular-Season Champions
• 587-138 (.810) career men's record; 308-122 (.716) career women's record