Southwest State University
Women's Tennis Head Coach
1979-92
Hugh Curtler took over the Mustang women's tennis program in 1979, and quickly turned it into one of the most dominant teams ever to play in the conference - in any sport. SSU's superiority in tennis lasted for a decade as the Mustangs went undefeated in the conference from 1983-92. Overall, he had a won-loss record of 169-83. The Mustangs won 18 consecutive dual meets, in and out of the conference, from 1981-83 - a school record for all sports. They won nine Northern Sun Conference titles and 10 NAIA District 13 crowns. In 1992, SSU had a perfect conference tournament, winning every point. Curtler's Mustangs had 135 all-conference and all-district players, six Second Team NAIA All-Americans, three First Team NAIA All-Americans, two National Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship Award winners, and one GTE All-American. Under Curtler, SSU finished in the top 10 in the nation six times and in the top 20 eight times. Coach Curtler shared in the honors, winning 10 NAIA District 13 and five NSC Coach of the Year awards. He also was named the Wilson/ITCA National Coach of the Year Award once.