Michael Leonard has been named director of tennis operations and head men’s tennis coach, while Elizabeth Perry has been named head women’s tennis coach. The hirings were announced June 24 by Alan White, director of athletics.
Leonard comes to Elon after serving as tennis director at the Raleigh Racquet Club in Raleigh, N.C., from 1995-2004, where he was in charge of one of the largest junior programs in the South. He was responsible for coordinating and implementing clinics, facilitating tennis and social activities for members and handling all financial operations of the tennis program. Previously, Leonard served as assistant pro at the Raleigh Racquet Club. In that role, he taught clinics and individual lessons to adults and juniors, and coached and traveled with players of all levels.
A 1991 Elon graduate, Leonard was a member of Elon’s NAIA national championship tennis team in 1990. He was named all-conference and all-district in each of his four playing seasons. He was the 1991 South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year and Stein H. Basnight Outstanding Elon Male Athlete of the Year. He was an NAIA All-American in 1990 and 1991 and was inducted into the Elon Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
Leonard continued his playing career after college, becoming the North Carolina state champion in 1992 and earning a number one ranking in the North Carolina men’s open division. He played professional tennis from 1993-1994, competing in circuit tournaments throughout the United States, Mexico, Canada, England, Spain and Portugal.
Perry comes to Elon after one year as an assistant coach at Auburn University, helping with team practice, individual lessons, practice planning, recruiting, travel arrangements and scouting. Before working at Auburn, she served as an assistant pro at the Duke Faculty Club, and was the pro at Hollow Rock Racquet Club in Durham, N.C., in 2003.
Perry served as a volunteer assistant women’s tennis coach at the University of North Carolina during the 2002-03 season and was assistant women’s coach at the University of Idaho in 2001-02. She also worked as a tennis professional at the Chapel Hill Tennis Club in 2002 and as a Van der Meer professional in Hilton Head, S.C., in 2001. While serving the Van der Meer World Class tennis program, Perry worked with touring professionals and top national players.
A 2001 graduate of UNC Wilmington, Perry played on the Seahawk tennis team from 1997-2001. She was named to the Colonial Athletic Association Honor Roll every year. She received the most improved player award from her team in 1998 and 2001, and the Coach’s Award in 2001. In 2000 and 2001, she earned the Seahawk Award, recognizing leadership, teamwork and athletic accomplishments.
Perry also played at North Carolina State University during the 1996-97 season, earning recognition on the Atlantic Coast Conference Honor Roll and as a University Scholar.