Served the last five seasons as the head coach of the women's tennis team at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. She inherits a program that won four Conference USA titles from 2001-05 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament six times from 1997-2005 before being suspended in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in Fall 2005.
"We're extremely pleased with the announcement of Terri Sisk as our women's tennis coach," Tulane Athletic Director Rick Dickson said at the time of Sisk's hire. "She brings an infectious enthusiasm for developing young women to their highest aspirations for excellence in education and the sport of tennis. She has great passion and determination to build upon the successes of Tulane women's tennis. She will be a great addition to our overall excellent group of coaches at Tulane."
With the Bulldogs, Sisk led the program to three Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Championships - two tournament titles (2004, 2006) and one regular-season crown (2007) - and a pair of NCAA Regional Tournament appearances (2004, 2006). The team's trip to the NCAAs in 2004 marked the first time in program history the Bulldogs advanced to the postseason and Samford finished one win shy of Sisk's third NCAA berth after finishing as runners-up in the 2007 OVC Tournament.
Sisk led the Bulldogs to a combined 69-37 record (.651), including a 20-2 OVC mark over the past two seasons. In 2007, Samford was a perfect 10-0 in league play during the regular season and Sisk was named OCV Coach of the Year. She helped six student-athletes earn All-OVC honors on seven occasions, including two-time all-conference honoree Sarah McKey (All-Atlantic Sun in 2004, All-OVC in 2006). In addition, she helped Katie McMiller and Emily White claim first-team All-OVC honors in 2005 and 2007, respectively.
During her time in Birmingham, Sisk was responsible for all facets of the Bulldog program, including recruiting, scheduling and implementing practice, scheduling and travel, NCAA compliance, monitoring academic progress, as well as fundraising and promotion. She contributed to the design of a $3.2 million tennis facility expansion, and established community support and strong donor relationships.
A standout player in her own right, Sisk starred at Jacksonville (Ala.) State where she lettered three years for the Gamecocks and earned All-Gulf South Conference honors in 1991. A serious skiing accident after her junior season interrupted her academic and athletic careers, but Sisk returned to the University in 1995 and completed her degree two years later.
In her final season as a student-athlete at Jacksonville State, Sisk was ranked nationally in both singles and double action and helped lead the Gamecocks to a GSC Championship. In 2003, Jacksonville State awarded Sisk the prestigious HPER Alumni of the Year Award for outstanding professional achievement in tennis.
After graduation, Sisk began her professional career as a tennis professional at Van Der Meer Shipyard Racquet Club (Hilton Head Island, S.C.) in 1998 where she worked in various aspects of daily operations for a tennis facility under the direction of Dennis Van Der Meer. She taught private lessons and group clinics, organized tournaments and social events for members, directed corporate tournaments for Delta Airlines and ran practices and drills for world class players.
From there, she became the tennis pro as Brook Highland Racquet Club (Birmingham, Ala.) in 2000 where she was responsible for numerous tennis programs and special events. Among her responsibilities were teaching private lessons and team clinics, organizing all club events and junior tournaments, and coordinating United States Tennis Association (USTA) and Interclub leagues.
Following a one-year stint at Brook Highland, Sisk served as the director of tennis at Sportsfirst Greystone (Birmingham, Ala.) and was responsible for all operational and management of the private tennis club. At Sportsfirst Greystone, she worked with member programs, USTA and softcourt leagues, supervised court and facility maintenance, and served as internal and external public relations personnel through special events, socials, junior programs and tournaments.
"Moving to Tulane University is one of the most exciting things that has ever happened to me in my professional career," Sisk said. "Tulane is known across the nation for its incredibly strong academics and athletics, especially their women's tennis program. I look forward to the rebuilding of one of America's premier programs not only for the University but for the resilient people who live in the New Orleans area."
A native of Talladega, Ala., Sisk completed her bachelor's degree in recreation administration and physical education from Jacksonville State in 1997, and is U.S. Professional Tennis Registry Certified.
