[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE CAREER OF MTSU'S TENNIS COACH DALE SHORT

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                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 9, 2007

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Dale Short, Middle Tennessee State University's tennis coach, upon the 
occasion of his retirement after 20 years with the university.
  During Dale's time as head coach of MTSU's tennis program, the teams 
moved fom competing in the Ohio Valley Conference to the Sun Belt 
Conference. Coach Short has coached the Blue Raiders to 383 victories, 
11 regular season championships and nine conference tournament titles. 
Dale and his teams have also participated in eight of the last 12 NCAA 
Team Championships, and several athletes have made the NCAA Singles or 
Doubles Championships in 10 of the last 13 seasons.
  Before coaching tennis, Dale racked up an impressive record as a 
player. He was named OVC Player of the Year twice as a student at MTSU 
and All-State performer as an Oakland High School student.
  Director of Athletics Chris Massaro calls Dale ``Mr. Tennis,'' and 
says while Dale will be missed by MTSU, he will always be a Blue 
Raider. In his retirement, Dale says he and his wife, Ava, are looking 
forward to enjoying Blue Raider athletics--especially football, 
basketball and baseball, the sports they couldn't watch as fans due to 
his busy coaching schedule.
  Coach Short, I wish you the best in your retirement. As an MTSU 
alumnus, I'll be watching the Blue Raiders right along with you.

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