ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western State University director of athletics Josh Looney announced, Thursday, the contract of head women’s tennis coach Shawn Becker would not be renewed.

“We have great respect for Coach Becker and thank him for his hard work and service leading Griffon Tennis the past four years,” Looney said. “Shawn has made positive contributions to our University and the athletic department, and we wish him the best moving forward. Ultimately, we believe our tennis program has the ability to increase its competitiveness in the MIAA and in the Central Region.”

Becker became Missouri Western’s second-ever full-time tennis coach in 2015. In his first season, the Griffons went 10-6 overall and posted a 5-5 record in MIAA play. Over his four seasons, MWSU was 36-48 with a 9-28 conference record. His teams consistently ranked high in academic achievement and sportsmanship and following this season, the Griffons received the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Community Service Award for the Central Region. During Becker’s tenure, Karolina Ström became the program’s first nationally ranked player in more than two decades.

A national search for Becker’s replacement will begin immediately.

— MWSU Athletics —