Bill Ryall, the former IUS Men’s and Women’s Tennis Coach, was honored with the 2013 Chancellor’s Medallion October 19.
Ryall has a résumé that spans more than 63 years. In that time Ryall accomplished 11 straight conference titles, four regional championships, three National Tournament appearances and a win at a Doubles Rolex Championship.
He served in the military for 30 years and from that has a chest full of ribbons, but said he has never received anything that meant what receiving the Chancellor’s Medallion meant to him.
“The Chancellors’ Medallion Award is the greatest honor I have ever received,” Ryall said. “I’m not sure why they choose me, but I am so honored and grateful.”
Ryall started playing tennis when he was ten years old. He played competitively for 63 years and coached for 43 years. While serving in the military overseas, he coached football, basketball, wrestling and tennis, but said coaching tennis was his true passion.
Ryall arrived at IU Southeast during 1995 at that time they needed a men’s and women’s tennis coach. Ryall said they experienced amazing and almost immediate success in a variety of areas.
“We have had so many good student athletes that have come through the years, but what I am most proud of is the 2004 NAIA Women’s Tennis Scholar Teams Award,” Ryall Said. “It was awarded to the team with the highest GPA in the United States. In 2004 we had the highest GPA in the country with 3.74.”
Ryall said that since the team does not receive very much scholarship money for student athletes, it takes a huge commitment because many students have to work, keep their grades up and have the drive to compete at an elite level.
Ryall said he was able to demonstrate what he wanted players to do up until about two years ago.
“I retired, because I was physically weak, and I couldn’t do the job justice anymore,” Ryall Said. “I teach three classes and I truly love to teach and I cherish the interaction with my students. I enjoy sharing my experiences, mistakes and successes. I hope to pass on these things on to them, so that one day they can become great leaders.”
Joe Glover, athletic director, said that it was great to have Ryall on staff.
“Bill Ryall is a tremendous asset to our university, both as an adjunct professor and a brilliant tennis mind,” Glover said.
Ryall expressed his admiration for Glover. He stated that most of the coaches on the staff have a similar mindset when it comes to student athletes. Ryall said he believes that when athletes arrive on campus, they arrive with high morals that they learned from their parents, and the coaching staff reinforces those morals.
“We try to prepare students for real life,” Ryall said. “We strive to send people out into the real world with a good moral compass and have the moral courage to do what’s right.”
