February 9, 2000

FURMAN'S DEBBIE SOUTHERN GETS COMMITTEE NOD

GREENVILLE Furman women's tennis coach Debbie Southern has been appointed as a member of the Division I NCAA Women's Tennis Committee, the NCAA announced recently.

Southern will serve as chair of the Southeast Region and represent the region on the National Committee. This is a four year commitment for Southern. Primary responsibilites of the committee are NCAA selection for teams, individual singles and doubles for the NCAA Championships held every year in May; selecting sites of the NCAA Championships for 2001-2004; and voting on any issue which affects Women's tennis. Tom Jacobs of the NCAA chairs the committee.

Southern is in her 17th season at the helm of the Lady Paladin tennis program. In 17 seasons, she has led her teams to eight Southern Conference titles and has been named Southern Conference coach-of-the-year five times. Southern is quickly closing in on 200 career victories as she has tallied a 197-158 record through the first three matches of the 2000 season.

Southern's appointment to the National Committee comes after serving on the Southeast Region committee over the last few years. She is also chair of the Southern Conference women's tennis committee.