Ryan Takao is in his second year as head coach of the Trinity University Tigers women’s tennis team.
But Coach Takao is no stranger to Trinity tennis, as he is in the midst of his 14th season as a coach. Takao was the assistant coach when the Tiger women captured the NCAA Division III national championship in 2000.
He served as the women’s tennis assistant under Butch Newman, who is now the director of tennis and also serves as the men's team's head coach.
Coach Takao earned the bachelor of arts in humanities from Trinity in 1996 and was a four-year letterman on the Tiger men’s team. He helped lead the Tigers to three consecutive SCAC titles. Coach Takao was named to the All-SCAC Team twice in his career, and spearheaded Trinity to four NCAA postseason appearances.
He played at Theodore Roosevelt High School in San Antonio, and was the team’s No. 1 singles and doubles player for his last three years. Coach Takao advanced to the Class 5A Region round of 16 in singles in 1990 and 1991. He also played doubles with his brother, Mikey (a former Trinity player, as well) and finished third in regionals in 1992.
Coach Takao received the Boys 18's Texas Super Championship Art Faust Sportsmanship Award in 1991 and 1992. In 1989, he played on the San Antonio National City Tennis Team. The Takao family was also chosen as the San Antonio Family of the Year by the San Antonio Tennis Association in 1989.
Coach Takao’s highest junior ranking in Texas was 11th, but he was also ranked No. 1 in the state with his father in 1990.
He is a certified United States Professional Tennis Association instructor, and teaches in San Antonio. Coach Takao and his wife, Cari, reside in San Antonio
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