July 31, 1996

Release # S071 Contact: Adam Levin Sports Information Director Phone #: (207) 786-6411

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bates Names Gastonguay New Men's Racquets Coach

LEWISTON, Maine -- Paul Gastonguay has been named head coach of men's tennis and squash at Bates College.

Gastonguay, a Lewiston native who is a 1989 graduate of Bates, is the winningest tennis player in Bobcat history. Over his collegiate career, he compiled a 149-41 record in singles and doubles, including the two best seasons by a singles player in school history. In his senior season at Bates, Gastonguay finished with a 29 5 record, was a finalist for the NCAA Arthur Ashe Award and became just the school's second-ever All-American. Upon graduation, he competed for four years on the professional circuit as a member of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Satellite, Challenger and Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tours. During this time, he acted as a training partner for three-time U.S. Open champion Ivan Lendl. In 1991, Gastonguay attained a top-three ranking in the New England Lawn Tennis Association (NELTA) Men's Open division. Since August 1993, Gastonguay has held the position of Assistant Tennis Director of Lendl's Grand Slam Health and Tennis Center in Bedford, N.Y., where he has coached several top-ranked junior players.

Gastonguay takes over the Bates men's racquets program from George Wigton, who retired this year after 30 years at the College. Gastonguay joins women's soccer and basketball coach Jim Murphy '69 and nordic ski coach Becky Flynn Woods '89 among Bates alumni on the college's coaching staff.

"We look forward to welcoming Paul Gastonguay back to Bates College," said Suzanne Coffey, director of athletics. "His playing record, both here and in the professional ranks, speaks for itself. As someone who learned the game under George Wigton, we know that as a coach, Paul will continue the tradition of excellence and sportsmanship that the program has exhibited for the past 30 years."

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