End-of-season banquet highlights season accomplishments

Provo, Utah – BYU men’s tennis held its annual end-of-year banquet to celebrate a successful season and honor the team’s supporters.

Head coach Brad Pearce highlighted the achievements of his athletes throughout the season and awarded three players who made significant contributions to the team.

Keaton Cullimore was named Player of the Year for his singles and doubles records as well as his work ethic, leadership and performance.

Jeremy Bourgeois received one of two coach’s awards for his standout season after clinching two matches. Pearce was impressed with Bourgeois’ improvement from the previous year and for proving himself in the classroom.

John Pearce received the second coach’s award for being a stellar scholar-athlete with a 3.96 GPA and helping his teammates in academics. He was also recognized as a leader and fighter.

Players, coaches, BYU Racqueteer Club members, scholarship donors and support staff attended the banquet.

Among those present were former BYU men’s tennis coaches Wayne Pearce and Jim Osbourne, philanthropist L. Douglas Smoot and BYU Advancement Vice President Matthew O. Richardson.

Vice President Richardson commented that he knows of no other BYU athletic team with as much unity and companionship as the men’s tennis team.

“We’re not football or basketball, but we work just as hard,” Coach Pearce said. “We’re proud to wear the Y.”

Pearce also shared his goals for BYU men’s tennis, including creating a program that will make a great product, offer academic support and generate a family atmosphere for the players. He thanked donors for helping the team on its journey to becoming self-sustaining.

No. 61 BYU finished the season with an 18-7 overall record and 7-2 West Coast Conference mark. BYU defeated Pepperdine for the first time in program history and saw victories over Utah, Boise State, UNLV and Idaho.

The Cougars look forward to the 2016-17 season, boasting five seniors and three new or returning players.