Bakersfield, CA – The Bakersfield College Athletics Department is excited to announce the hiring of Noel Dalton as the head coach of both the men's and women's tennis programs and Austin Lee as his assistant coach. Both will begin in their duties pending KCCD board approval.
Both Noel and Austin are former BC tennis players. Noel competed at BC from 1982-1984 and then transferred to Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA where he played lacrosse. Austin played tennis at BC from 2014-2016 and then transferred on to continue playing at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA.
"I'm excited to bring two BC Tennis alumni back as coaches of our men's and women's tennis programs", said BC athletic director Sandi Taylor, "Both Noel and Austin are very passionate about continuing to build our tennis programs."
Coach Dalton and Coach Lee will look to build on the success laid by their predecessors, Coach Nick Jacobs and Coach Nick Loudermilk. In 2018 spring season, the men's tennis program had two doubles teams qualify for the state tournament, while the women's team had two individual and two doubles teams qualify for the state tournament.
Noel's statement on being hired - "I would like to thank AD Sandi Taylor for the opportunity to coach the tennis program. I was very impressed with her vision to establish Bakersfield College as the preeminent community college where student athletes go to achieve and succeed. The tennis courts are beautiful after the completion of recent renovations. Thanks to our fantastic facilities our players will be well prepared to compete at the highest levels, we play in the toughest tennis conference in the country. Coach Nick Jacobs did a great job during his tenure here and we will work hard to build on his recent success. As a former player at BC, I understand the rich tradition and the impact the program has had in our community, preserving that legacy is a responsibility that I take very seriously. Historically the core of our teams have been predominantly local kids, which makes our program unique and special. I look forward to working with and helping them reach their goals in the classrooms and on the courts."
Austin's statement on being hired – "Being hired to be a coach here at BC is something that I really wanted to happen. I am so thankful that Sandi Taylor and the Athletics Department thought that I would be a good fit for the program. I am passionate about tennis and working with students, so this is a perfect opportunity to mentor young adults and show them that playing college sports is something that is not just a dream, but is something within their reach."
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