Godwin set to lead the Blue Raiders after two seasons as an assistant at Michigan State
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Former Crimson Tide women’s tennis player Shelley Godwin was named head coach of the Middle Tennessee women’s tennis program on Tuesday by director of athletics Chris Massaro. Godwin, who most recently served as an assistant at Michigan State, was a three-time team captain for Alabama while lettering for the Tide from 2006-09.
While with the Spartans, Godwin helped the team reach as high as No. 52 in the national rankings. Following the 2011 season, a pair of Michigan State players were honored by the Big Ten Conference as sophomore Amy Barton earned Second Team All-Big Ten recognition and sophomore Dana Guentert the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. Barton was the first All-Big Ten honoree in three seasons for the Spartans, who finished the season with 12 wins.
Godwin enjoyed a successful playing career at Alabama where she collected a combined 88 victories, including 59 in singles action. She received one of the ITA’s highest honors in 2009, being named the ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award honoree. The award is presented to the women’s tennis player who exhibited outstanding leadership and sportsmanship as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
Godwin was a four-time Academic All-SEC selection earning a spot in the Dean’s List every semester since 2007. She also served as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative. In her role with SAAC, she was instrumental in coordinating the tennis teams’ community service activities throughout Tuscaloosa. She also attended the Fall 2008 SEC SAAC Conference in Birmingham.
Godwin graduated from Alabama in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science.
