Middle Georgia State University

Coach Bates enters his 11th year as the head coach for both the men's and women's tennis teams at Middle Georgia State University. Tom was hired as the first head coach for the combined Middle Georgia State University when tennis was added as a scholarship sport in 2012.

Tom has led a team to the NAIA National Championships each of the seven years of eligibility for the program. The Knights have had numerous all-conference award winners, including five women and five men last year. Coach Bates has also had eight ITA All-American's in five years, and both teams have maintained very high GPA's.

Tom currently serves as the Past President of the National Association of Coaches after 4 years as President, is the chairperson for the National Women’s Tennis Tournament, is an at large committee member of the National Men’s Tournament and is a conference rater for the SSAC. Past offices include secretary and vice president of the National Association of Coaches and Regional Chair of the Southeast for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association

The men’s team features a record of 26-9 over the past 5 years versus top 25 opponents while the women have a 25-14 record versus top 25 in the same time span.

The MGA men finished 10th and the women 7th last year after both teams lost in the quarter finals of the national championships.

Coach Bates has won 6 prestigious Coach of the Year awards, including three men’s and three women’s awards.

MGA Record: 189-123

Men: 93-60

NJCAA: 4-7

NAIA: 88-53

Women: 96-63

NJCAA: 2-8

NAIA: 94-55